Robert C. “Bob” Roth, 88, of Marysville, Wash., formerly of Festus, died Aug. 7, 2021, at the Cedar Creek Adult Family Home in Marysville. Mr. Roth was born Nov. 5, 1932, in Danby. He grew up on the family farm there and attended the one-room Danby School and then Festus High School, where he was active in music activities. Throughout World War II, he and his family helped raise money and participated in war recycling. e joined the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Missouri in Columbia, majoring in animal husbandry and serving as a livestock judge for several fairs. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, he attended aviation school. He and his wife moved around the country for his training, eventually being stationed at bases in Newfoundland, Texas, Indiana, California, Germany and Idaho. Mr. Roth later switched to the Physiological Training Unit at Edwards Air Force Base to train future pilots and astronauts. He then went on to serve in Vietnam, Korea and Thailand, eventually returning to Edwards as Deputy Base Commander. After six years at Edwards, Mr. Roth served a tour at the Bitburg Air Base in Germany, then returned to the US to a post in Mountain Home, Idaho. He completed his master’s degree in public administration through Boise State University and retired from the Air Force in 1979. He and his wife then remodeled a house, and he started a new career with FEMA, leading to a career as a professor and Dean of Distance Learning for City University, where he was able to serve students in Austria, Denmark, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland. Following his retirement from teaching, Mr. Roth became active in the National Sojourners and Masonic Hall in Stanwood. He loved traveling as well as hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years: Rosalena “Rosie” (LaRose) Roth, whom he met at a horse show in 1953; and two daughters: Robin and Melissa.
Arrangements were under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home in Stanwood, Wash.