Roy Focker started as a stunt pilot in the flying circus run by Hikaru Ichijyo's father, flying replica Fokker D.VII biplanes. There, he became a mentor figure to young Hikaru. He left the circus to join the United Nations Forces during the Unification Wars after the deaths of many friends, breaking a promise to return after the conflict. Before military service, he studied archaeology in college and dated senior student Aries Turner; their breakup contributed to his career change. As a combat pilot in the Unification Wars, he earned ace status with over 180 confirmed kills, including destroying five enemy fighters while hungover. His exceptional skill led to his selection as a test pilot for early variable fighter programs. He flew experimental prototypes like the VF-X and VF-X-1. By 2008, he commanded Skull Team from the stealth carrier CVN-99 Asuka II during a secret South Pacific mission, piloting the VF-0S Phoenix. During this deployment, he engaged in the first variable fighter combat during the Mayan Island incident against Anti-United Nations Forces SV-51s. His leadership facilitated a later transfer to South Ataria Island as squadron leader for the SDF-1 Macross project. During Space War I against the Zentradi, he led Skull Squadron from the CVS-101 Prometheus, piloting the VF-1S Valkyrie. His reputation as a reckless but skilled pilot persisted, marked by heavy smoking, drinking, and womanizing, alongside a committed relationship with SDF-1 bridge officer Claudia LaSalle. He continued mentoring Hikaru after encouraging his enlistment, offering guidance on combat and personal matters. His flying style involved performing and teaching advanced maneuvers, like a boost-to-inverted climb during the SDF-1's maiden voyage. On February 7, 2009, he inadvertently involved Hikaru in the first Zentradi battle by granting him access to a parked Valkyrie. His death occurred differently across narratives. In the television series, he sustained fatal injuries battling Milia Fallyna's Queadluun-Rau forces. Refusing treatment, he spent his final moments playing guitar while waiting for Claudia to prepare pineapple salad, dying of internal bleeding before she finished. In the film "Do You Remember Love?", he sacrificed himself aboard a Zentradi vessel to ensure the escape of Hikaru Ichijyo and Misa Hayase during a Meltrandi attack. Hikaru inherited leadership of Skull Squadron and Roy's Valkyrie after his death. His legacy persisted through the Roy Focker Prize, awarded annually to exceptional variable fighter pilots. Isamu Alva Dyson won this prize three times consecutively from 2037 to 2039. Elements of his character, including his squadron affiliation, mentorship role, and associations with pineapple-based foods, inspired later characters like Ozma Lee in "Macross Frontier".