Bob was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on April 9, 1949, and went to be with his Lord on May 2, 2017 in Aurora, Colorado at the University of Colorado Hospital. A sudden, severe case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome took his life in six weeks.
Bob’s road began in Piedmont, SD and led him to Sturgis High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1967. He then attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD for two years before transferring to the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. He graduated from UNC in 1972 with a B.S. in Journalism and English Education and found himself at Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado to begin his teaching career. While at Heritage one of his students, Ed Luhm, reintroduced Bob to his older sister Bonnie. Through much encouragement from Bonnie’s dad Gordon, the couple had their first date on December 10, 1972 at Mile High Stadium, and watched the Denver Broncos defeat the San Diego Chargers. The young couple were married soon after on June 10, 1973, at the Littleton Bible Chapel.
While Bonnie finished her nursing degree, Bob worked for one year in Denver for the Rodeo Cowboys Association as a publicist.
Bob’s road took them north to Laramie, WY in 1974 where he began his 34-year career at Laramie Senior High School. His teaching career evolved and advanced from manual typewriters, Pentax 35mm cameras, and chalkboards to Dell computers, digital cameras, and LCD projectors.
Bob taught a variety of English classes including American Literature, English 10, Literature of the West, and Short Story. His favorite books to use in the classroom were Huckleberry Finn and Black Elk Speaks.
Early on in his career Bob taught his students to “feature the feature” while publishing the monthly student newspaper, The Plainsman Herald. He and his students were also responsible for thousands of LHS News Bureau articles including the Plainsman Potpourri column. It appeared weekly in Sunday’s Laramie Daily Boomerang beginning in 1976, and it continued after his retirement in 2008. He was a nationwide pioneer in online student journalism, launching the CyberPlainsman in 2001 which also continued after his retirement. Bob was yearbook advisor for ten years as well as the advisor for the Homecoming and Senior editions, which were published annually in the Laramie Daily Boomerang. Bob inspired his students through his love of journalism.
Bob loved and served God. He deeply loved Bonnie, their two sons, their wives, and their six grandchildren. Bob had a wonderful sense of humor and cherished his many friendships. In retirement, he was passionate about writing his forthcoming and anticipated memoir, Roads. He enjoyed riding his bike and swimming at the Rec Center, and each season Bob closely followed the Wyoming Cowboys, the Denver Broncos, and the Colorado Rockies. Bob loved his home. He enjoyed reading books from his large library. He also treasured traveling around the country and Mexico with Bonnie exploring and learning new things. One of the highlights of the last year of his life was the “Man-cation” to New York City with his two sons.
Bob is survived by his wife of 43 years Bonnie; two sons, Ryan (Jennifer) of Greeley, CO, Wesley (Kim) of Summerset, SD; six grandchildren: Noah (18), Andrew (16), Nathanael (14), Sarabeth (12), Kaleb (6) and Elsie (3); brother Tom Roth (Candy) of Rapid City, SD; sister Claudia (Tom) Morrison of Montana City, MT; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Claude and Billie Roth of Piedmont, SD.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in his name to Compassion International (Colorado Springs, CO 80997) or the Laramie Recreation Center Scholarship Fund (Parks & Recreation, P.O. Box C, Laramie, WY 82073).
A brief visitation will be from 2:30-3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9 at the Snowy Range Evangelical Free Church (2552 N 15th St, Laramie, WY).
Funeral services will be held immediately after the visitation at 3 p.m.
Bonnie and family: We were saddened to hear of Bob's passing while we were in Wisconsin. Bob was a very caring teacher and individual. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May you find peace in the wonderful memories you have of your lives together. Know that Bob is watching over all of you until you.meet together in eternal life. Al and Bobbie Schimek
Hello Bonnie and family, I am very sad to read of Bob's passing. He touched the lives of many in his teaching career. I remember the school newspaper and articles written by his students. Often we shared a student when I taught home-bound. My condolences to all your family members. May His Peace be present in the days ahead. John 14.
I have never known a more generous, caring sincere, enthusiastic, energized, humorous man of natural curiosity and integrity than my friend, Bob Roth. "Well done . . . good and faithful servant." Dan Nelson
Ryan, Wes, and family. I am sorry to hear of this. May the Lord bless all of you in these times. As the obituary says, 20 years later I vividly remember reading Black Elk Speaks in his class. Probably the only English class I ever looked forward to attending.
I have such fond memories of teaching with Bob at LHS. From journalism conferences to staff meetings, Bob always had a smile on his face. He was always willing to mentor me and I greatly benefited from his experience in the classroom, as his students surely did as well. What a truly great person. My thoughts to his family.
To a wonderful teacher, who help me through my high school years. My condolences to the family and friends.
Bonnie, so very sorry for your loss. My condolences to your family.
Bonnie, Ryan, Wes, and family, our deepest sympathy to you all at this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. So very sorry for your loss.
May the Lord of Hope bring you all peace. So hard to lose such a treasured loved one. We mourn while heaven rejoices. One day-we will have no more tears. We love you roth family. Praying especially for you during this season. God bless you all.
Bonnie and family --So very sad to hear of Bob's passing. He was a very special man who loved his family so much. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
My condolences to Bob's family. We went to school together in Sturgis and everyone was looking forward to our 50th class reunion. It is sad to loose a classmate and friend. I remember him as a kind sole, obviously a dedicated educator and more importantly a good father and husband. Words cannot ease your loss but know he was a positive spirit to many in his life and his impact will be generational to many students. I am very sorry for your loss. Andy Nelson
May, "God be With You Till We Meet Again", my family and friend.
To Bonnie, Ryan, and Wes. Sorry for your loss. I will always remember that ready smile that Bob had for everyone. Rest in peace my friend.
Oh, Bonnie, hearing this makes me so sad for you and your family. May happy memories help to heal the hole in your heart.
I was saddened to learn of Bob's passing. During our time as colleagues at LHS, Bob showed me such good humor and such a joy for his family, the study of English, and life in general. He wore a smile and laughed easily, and he was just a darned nice fella. This world needs more people like Bob Roth.
May 08, 2017 We are shocked and saddened to hear about Bob. He was always so positive and generous with everyone. We all have such great memories of Bob and may those memories help get you all through this sad time. To Bonnie and family, Claudia and family, and Tom and Family, Pete and I send our love and condolences to you all. Patsy Richardson, San Diego, CA
Bonnie, Ryan, Wes, Tom, Claudia, and all of Bob's family, We were so saddened to hear of Bob's passing. We have such fond memories of spending many holidays together. Bob was such a kind and caring person who made us all laugh. While we won't be able to attend the services, we will be with you in spirit, thoughts, and prayers. We hope you find some comfort in many wonderful memories and the support of others who care and remember with you. Our deepest condolences, Cousins Jim Roth, Randy Roth, and Susan Roth
I am so sad to hear of "Bobby's" passing. Growing up in Piedmont, he was someone who was always smiling and always positive, with a great sense of humor. I will cherish the many memories. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Bob's family members and friends.
Mr. Roth was one of my favorite teachers and I am saddened to learn of his passing. I always loved talking to him about life, baseball and enjoyed his sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Bonnie and family - I am so very sorry to learn of Bob's rather sudden illness and passing. I have enjoyed your participation in our high school reunions, and was so looking forward to reconnecting at our 50th. Sitting on my dresser is a letter you wrote me after the Ft.Robinson Rendezvous, August 2016. I've been meaning to reply to that ever since receiving it... I will miss you, friend... and am grieving for and with your family. — Ginny Jones
r Bonnie & Family----We were so surprised and saddened to hear of Bob's recent death and home-going. Our prayers will be with you. We now live in Rapid City and Brian, our son lives in Sturgis. We think of you and your family nearly every time we go through Piedmont. We have many wonderful memories of our time in Laramie---knowing you and your family and many others. How wonderful to have hope in Jesus of eternal life. May His presence and peace be yours and may He hold you up with His righteous right hand. Jesus is Lord!
I worked with Bob for most of our teaching years. He had a great sense of humor and was delighted in calling me by my first name which i did not tell anyone--BILLIE. He thought it would upset me. Bob's gentle teaching ways we be missed by all. He had a vey positive attitude about life and loved his family greatly. Billie Gwen Cruickshank
Basketball and blizzards. Billie called Claude for traveling advice and he said "If you can see the stars, the storm is passing.", when unexpected snow stalled our return from Rapid to Piedmont. Look to heaven, see one of the brightest stars shining is Bob, watching over your travels, Roths. So many childhood memories, so deeply saddened. Pat (Anderson) Dierks
One of my favorite teachers. He will always have s place in my memories as a mentor. My condolences to his family
I am very sad to read of the passing of a favorite teacher of mine. While I haven't seen Mr. Roth since high school in the 70s, his ready smile and his encouraging words loom large in my memory. Mr. Roth's gentle guidance was a big part of my life, as I went on to eventually major in English and became a university writing/communication teacher for many years. My condolences to his family and friends -- may your memories be as warm and wonderful as mine.