Robert L. Roth

Bob Roth, our loyal, dependable, loving, humorous husband, father, grandfather, teacher, brother and friend passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2019. Visitation and a Life Celebration will be held at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home on Monday, May 20, 2019 from 4-6:30 pm. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made in Bob’s name to the Center for Hospice Care.

Bob's understated humor, patience, love and kindness will be greatly missed.

Bob was born on April 23, 1936 to Wilma (Tarman) and Ollie Roth in Elkhart, IN. He grew up with his brother, Richard Roth, sister, Nancy (Roth) Syms, and step-brother, William Tarman. His love of nature and science started early and drew him to chemistry basement explosions and the St. Joe River, where he enjoyed taking walks, boat-rides and was a founding member of the Jumping Joes Water Ski Club in Elkhart. He graduated from Elkhart High School and was greatly inspired by his science teacher, Ivan Gill.

His years at Purdue University were extremely happy. He was proud to be a Boilermaker and a member of the Pi Kappa Phi’s, where he was known by his high school nickname “Heart.” His whole life he loved returning to campus to attend homecomings and football games. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology and went on to receive his Masters degree from Purdue in Biology, with the assistance of a grant from the National Science Foundation.

A devoted, kind husband and father, he married Sally (Beresford) Roth on August 20, 1970. He was Dad to: Robyn (Roth)Hensch of Sarasota, FI; Stephanie Roth Pairitz & David Pairitz of Bristol, IN; and Nicholas Roth a Joe Freund of Des Moines, IA. He was a playful, loving Opa to six grand­children: Michelle (Hensch) Young; Amy (Hensch) Tricou; Tanya Hensch; Maria Pairitz, Annika Pairitz; and Ethan Pairitz, and four great­grandchildren.

Known as Mr. Roth at Concord High School, he dedicated his life to teaching Chemistry for approximately 40 years. He was incredibly dedicated to his students, whom he prepared well for future success in the sciences. He chaired the CHS Science Department for decades, was a Diners Club Member (exclusive teachers club), and was believed to be a Golden Glove Champion by most of his colleagues and students. His dedication to his students propelled him to offer 7:00 am Advanced Chemistry classes for many years. His students and parents made the sacrifices necessary to attend, out of the tremendous respect they had for Mr. Roth. He ran the game clocks for both Concord's Football and the Basketball teams for over 30 years - every week, every game. His tremendous skills as a Chemistry teacher inspired countless students to go into the science and medical fields, an effect that continues today with many of his students, who are now engineers, researchers, teachers, doctors and nurses, sharing their talents with the next generation. A beautiful legacy.

He loved golf and thoroughly enjoyed his time on the golf course. His family was a golf family, with a father, who was a city golf champion, and sister, Nancy, winner of the 1975 British Amateur in Scotland, and a member of the Curtis Cup team twice. He spent his summers as a greens keeper at his step-brother’s Parmore Golf Course in New Paris, IN for over 30 years.

Once when asked what he thought was the point of life, he responded without missing a beat, “Lifting the next generation above what we were able to accomplish. That has always been enough for me.” He spent his life doing just that and we will forever be grateful to his generous “Heart.” Well done, Robert.

The family of Robert Roth would like to thank Miller’s Merry Manor Wakarusa, Greenleaf Health Campus in Elkhart, and the Center for Hospice Care.