Edward was born on November 29, 1932, in Antioch, California to Manwel and Sally Morales Roche. He was raised and educated in Antioch. He also attended the University of Southern California. He lived in Antioch, Brentwood and Eureka, California before moving to Grinnell, Iowa in 2005. He worked as a machinist in the pulp mill industry and retired from the Crown-Zellerback Company. Survivors include his wife, Donna Roche of Grinnell; one son, Larry Roche of Antioch; two daughters, Robin Custer of Antioch and Wendy Hornsby of Fortuna, Califoria; 15 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; his mother, Sally Pearson of Turlock; and one sister, Andrea Swanson of Turlock. He was preceded in death by his father; and one son, Daniel Roche.