He had war stories to tell, but spoke of the courage of others, he saw much sadness, but always made you laugh, he carried the burden, so you didn’t.

The poem “Footprints” comes to mind.

Those who knew him are better for it. Sad news, I pray his soul is at rest with the Lord.
Eternal rest, Dennis……

Fr Dennis Rocheford, Servant of God and his fellow Man

My son and I are devestated by his loss… to the USMC, his parish and as a man & priest in the service to his Lord. As the sister and aunt of Lutheran pastors, I know firsthand the pressures a pastor carries with him on a daily basis.

I can only imagine the additional pressures a military chaplain carries. May God bless and comfort his family and friends.

Farewell and Semper Fi thou good and faithful servant.

It was by chance that Father Dennis was in the office when I went to talk to a chaplain however I immediately found in him a man lived the word and who genuinely cared about his young Marines.

Through his understanding, I found myself, he helped me rebuild my relationship with my wife of now 15 years and renewed my relationship with Christ and brought me home to the church. I couldn’t wait to go to Mass on Sundays as I knew that through his charisma that I was going to walk away with words to live by.

He used to hold get togethers for his young Marine Officer charges and it was obvious that he was Mentor to many, including myself. It was a sad day when he retired from Quantico in 1998..

I’ve often thought of him and have compared all chaplains and parish priests since then and as I’m currently in Iraq, was excited to learn that he has recently served over here and maybe again learn from his wisdom.

Sadly, all I feel is pain at the world’s loss from this tragedy. There’s no reason to judge or speculate the reasons at this juncture, Just celebrate the amazing life he led and the countless lives he touched and mourn. This is a tragedy…

Semper Fi, Father Dennis, Semper Fi

I met Father Rocheford soon after I stepped on the yellow footprints at Parris Island, SC, in January of 1994. As our chaplain, he taught us all to live from chow to chow instead of focusing on the long days or weeks of recruit training. As an Officer candidate in Quantico during the summers of 1996 and 1997, I was inspired to again have Father Rocheford, who was seemingly everywhere, as great sources of both peace and strength.

He always ran the PFT course backwards so he could “high-5” and motivate the runners. By 1998, Father Rocheford had become the TBS chaplain and again seemed to be everywhere that motivation and strength was required, often passing out candies and good stories during long nights in the field.

I was very much saddened when he announced that he was retiring in 1998. He was called back to his Parrish and I think he had been selected for Commander, which may have meant less time in the field with the Marines he loved.

Dennis Rocheford was a Marine and he became a guardian angel to every Marine who was lucky enough to have crossed paths with him. Few lives that are more meaningful have ever ended.

I am truly blessed to have known him and very sad that he is gone.
Rest in peace Father.

1st Battalion 6th Marines
2D Marine Division
In the City of Ar-Ramadi, the Province of Al-Anbar
September 2006 – May 2007

He was a generous soul and most trusted confidant to this junior chaplain.

Mike
Chaplain, USN

I am now 37 years old and a police officer. I am about to be married for the first time. I found his signature on my baptism record when looking at it for the church we are getting married at and thought I would look up the person who inspired me so. I am very sad to hear of the passing of Father Rocheford. I know I, along with many other Marines, could not have made that three months without his help.

I am honored to have known Father Rocheford and I am glad to see that for so many years, he continued to help and be there for people who needed him. His words will remain with me forever.