Obituary of James Nicholas Romach

James Nicholas Romach

(75) passed away on October 7, 2023 after a long battle with cancer.

James was born on November 28, 1947 to Nicholas and Betty Romach in Lansing, MI. He attended college at Michigan State University for over three years before being drafted into the Vietnam war. He served in the army from August 1969 – April 1971. He received a purple heart after being wounded by shrapnel in Cambodia, which was in his side the remainder of his life.

He was married to his first wife, Yvonne (Figg) Bibro in Honolulu, HI while on leave from the war December 28, 1970. In 1974-75, he finished his schooling at Eastern Michigan University and received his BS degree in Computer Science with double minors in Physics and Math. He had a daughter in 1975 and moved to St. Paul, MN in 1976 for work.  He was divorced in 1982 and moved to Germany to live 1985. On February 15, 1991, he married Carolyn (Larson) Romach in Sonderborg, Denmark and added another daughter to his family by marriage.  He moved back to St. Paul, MN in 1992 and welcomed twin boys to his family in 1993. He moved with his family to Lino Lakes in 2001 and built a tree house in the backyard.  James spent his career primarily as a computer programmer, but also spent multiple years as a substitute teacher in the Minneapolis and St. Paul schools.  During his life, James always loved teaching children.  He was a coach for FIRST LEGO League for multiple years at Centennial Lakes Middle School.  He enjoyed rugby and running in his youth and watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and activities as they grew up.  He relished dark beer, experimenting with science projects and cooking, belaying at the indoor rock-climbing wall, riding his Victory motorcycle and roughhousing with his dog Dexter.

He will be missed by his wife Carolyn Romach, his children Adrienne (Paul) Kelsey, Jameson Romach, Nicholas Romach, and step-daughter Amy (Andy) Way and his grandchildren Connor Kelsey, Corinna Kelsey, Bailie Way and Macie Way and his dog Dexter.

  Per his wishes, no service is planned for James.  Donations can be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society.