Edward Rochette Obituary

Rochette
Edward C. Rochette
February 17, 1927 - January 18, 2018
Edward C. Rochette Jr., was born Feb. 17, 1927, in Worcester, Mass., to Edward Rochette, a physician, and Lilia A. (Viau) Rochette. Both parents died before Edward Jr. reached adulthood.
Ed had a sparkling wit, creative spirit, astute mind, and a strong ethical compass that guided his life and family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary; his three sons (Edward, Paul and Philip) from his first wife Faye (who died in 1977); four stepchildren (Joseph, Michael, Paul and Susan); 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Ed served for many years as the Executive Director of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and devoted his long career to sharing fascinating stories behind coins and medallions. Ed told COINage magazine in 2006, "I've never gone out and tried to corner a market or buy something because it was rare. I'd buy it because I could write a story about it."
Spending most of his life in Colorado Springs, Ed carried a bit of East Coast character from his Worcester birthplace, where he first learned a love for coins at his grandfather's diner by sorting through unusual change in the cash drawer. He served as an electrician in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and attended Clark University in Worcester and Washington University in St. Louis.
His professional numismatic career began as a cartoonist and editor for Numismatic News in Iola, Wisconsin. Ed brought his family to Colorado Springs in 1966 to become editor of the ANA magazine; from there he became executive vice president, then executive director. He retired in 1987 but was asked to return in 1998 as executive director, serving again for 5 years. During his second tenure Ed oversaw the remodeling and expansion of the ANA's Money Museum and Library; in 2005 the museum was renamed in his honor.
He was a prolific writer, authoring the books The Romance of Coin Collecting, Medallic Portraits of John F. Kennedy, and Making Money: Rogues and Rascals Who've Made Their Own. He wrote a weekly coin column nationally syndicated by the Los Angeles Times and monthly columns for COINage magazine and ANA's Numismatist magazine. In the 1980s Ed launched the week-long ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs. He was also instrumental in developing the numismatic exhibit for the International Olympic Committee's museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, and served as a numismatic consultant to the U.S. Olympic Committee and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Ed received the ANA's Glenn Smedley Memorial and Lifetime Achievement Awards, Medal of Merit, and the association's highest honor, the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service, and numerous other numismatic honors.
The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Mackenzie Place memory care and the New Century Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to New Century Hospice, 6270 Lehman Drive, Suite 150, 80918. A celebration of life service is being planned for a date to be announced in the near future.