Born in Worcester, Massachusetts. Served in the Navy during WW II 1944 to 1946. Attended Washington University and Clark University. Married to Faye Audra in 1945. She died August 4, 1977. They had three sons. Married Mary Ann Ruland July 29, 1978.

He joined the staff of Numismatic News November 14, 1960, as editor. He was also a cartoonist for NN. Editor of Numismatic News 1960 to 1966. Editor of The Numismatist March 1967 to 1972. He returned as editor briefly during 1973-1974. Appointed to the United States Assay Commission in 1965.

In 1967 Rochette was appointed acting executive director of the ANA following the forced resignation of Jack R. Koch. He retired as executive director in 1985. He received the Medal of merit in 1972.

He was named a Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador in 1986.

In 1987 he received the ANA Farran Zerbe Memorial Award. Served on the ANA board of governors 1987 to 1989 and vice president 1989 to 1991. He served as 47 ANA President 1991 to 1993. In 1993 he received the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award. In 1998 he was called back as executive director of the ANA. In 1999 he received the ANA Lifetime Achievement Award. Inducted into the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2007 he was elected again to the ANA Board. He received the Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing in 2003 and Numismatist of the Year in 2003.

Contributed “Coin Roundup” column to several papers after 1975. Also a columnist for COINS magazine, Coinage and The Numismatist. Author of Medallic Portraits of John F. Kennedy in 1966. The paperback sold for $2.95 and deluxe library edition for $4.95. Author of The Other Side of the Coin in 1985. Author of Making Money, Rogues and Rascals Who Made Their Own in 1986.

He died in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

bio: WWA 86, 04; WWWest 89-90

profile: NN/WWH 1/23/73 interviewed 8/15/91