Alberto N Roca

Born and raised in Lima, Perú, Dr. Roca resided in Houston, Texas for over 50 years. Dr. Roca completed his medical degree with honors in 1962 from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, Perú and received specialized residency training in cancer pathology at the El Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas in Lima, Perú. He completed his pathology residency at John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, Illinois in 1966 and completed three fellowships in clinical pathology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas in 1969, specializing in anatomical pathology and clinical pathology.

In 1971, Dr. Roca established the Laboratory and Pathology departments of Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, Alberto Roca and Associates, which became the foundation for the pathology group serving the hospital today. Dr. Roca remained the last founding and active faculty, serving into his 70s. Dr. Roca enjoyed traveling, the sciences and several hobbies; including hunting, fishing, hiking, tai chi, playing the mandolin and calligraphy.

His marriage to Martha was his greatest treasure. He adored his children and grandchildren. Dr. Roca had a deep sense of pride with his family and extended family. Preceded in death by granddaughter Andrea Roca, brother Guillermo Roca Navarro, sister Amalia Roca Sanchez, brother in-law Alfredo Sanchez and parents Pedro Erasmo Roca Sanchez and Julia Mercedes Navarro Paulet de Roca.

Dr. Roca is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Martha Gutierrez Roca; and their sons and daughters-in-law, Alberto I. Roca and Nancy Aguilar-Roca, Rolando D. Roca and Fiorella M. Guiulfo Roca, Fernando R. Roca and Melissa Roca. Also surviving are grandchildren, Nicolas R. Roca-Guiulfo, Matias A. Roca-Guiulfo, Paula C. Roca-Guiulfo and Sela Roca, his brother Erasmo Roca Navarro and many loving relatives and friends.

A Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery. Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2017 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Interment to follow Mass at Forest Part Westheimer Cemetery.