Dr. James K. Roche, a retired clinician in the University of Virginia Health System, died Feb. 9 in Albemarle County. He was 70.

Roche was a faculty member for more than 25 years in the divisions of Gastroenterology/Hepatology and Nephrology/Centers for Inflammation, Immunity and Regenerative Medicine.  

He graduated from Dartmouth College, where he majored in chemistry; the University of Pennsylvania for his medical training; Presbyterian Hospital Pittsburgh for his internship; and Duke University for his internal medicine residency and fellowship in gastroenterology, and Ph.D. in immunology. After completing his training, Roche joined the Duke University medical faculty. In 1987, he accepted a post as associate professor of medicine at U.Va.

“Jim was an accomplished scientist, educator and clinician. In addition, his passion for mentoring young faculty members was always evident,” said Mitchell Rosner, a faculty member in nephrology.