Rev. David H. Roesch

April 23, 1941-February 29, 2024

Rev. David H. Roesch, 82, Altoona, passed away Thursday at UPMC Altoona, after a brief illness.

He was born in the Dutch Hill section of Altoona, the son of the late Roman and Mary Madeline “Mel” (Costlow) Roesch. David was the ninth of ten children.

Fr. David is survived by a brother, George Roesch of Herndon, VA; and was the proud uncle of numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews and great-great nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings: Richard, Marian, Lois, Allison, John, Martin, Franklin and Jerome.

Sacred Heart Parish was the family church, as well as where David attended school until the eighth grade. He attended High School at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio and then obtained a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and also attended seminary school at St. Francis University and Seminary, respectively, in Loretto, PA. A highlight of his education came when David attended the Sabbatical Vatican II in Menlo Park, CA. He was ordained on May 20, 1967 in Altoona at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament by Bishop James J. Hogan.

From his ordination to August of 1970, he was the Associate Pastor at St. Rose of Lima and religion teacher at Bishop Guilfoyle High School; August 1970 to May of 1971, Fr. David was the Associate Pastor of St. Andrew’s Church in Johnstown and the religion teacher at Bishop McCort High School. May 1971 to December 1973, Fr. David was the Chaplain at Altoona Hospital. He then went on to serve as Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy in Johnstown, chaplain at Lee Hospital and Professor of Pastoral Care of the Sick at St. Francis Seminary from December 1973 through May of 1977. From May 1977 to October 1983, Fr. David was the Pastor of Most Precious Blood in Emeigh and its mission Holy Incarnation and was a religion teacher at Bishop Carroll High School. He was the Pastor of St. Bartholomew Church in Wilmore and St. Agnes Church in Cassandra from October 1983-June of 1988. Fr. David then went on to serve as Pastor of St. Francis Xavier in Cresson and was member of the Presbyteral Council and Personnel Board and Dean of the Northern Cambria Deanery from June 1988 through June of 1996. From June 1996 until his retirement, Fr. David served as Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Bellwood. He was a member of the personnel board and chair of the cemeteries in the diocese and served as Chaplain at the VA Hospital.

Friends will be received from 3-7 pm, Friday, March 8, 2024 at The Stevens Mortuary, Inc., 1421 8th Ave., Altoona, PA 16602, where a vigil for the deceased will be held. Additional visitation will be held from 9-9:45 am, Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 am with the Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak, Celebrant. Committal will be held at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in Fr. David’s memory to: Shriners Hospitals for Children-Philadelphia, 3551 North Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19140/https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc.

Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.