"My belated condolences."
In loving memory of
Ralph Waldo "Wally" Roth
December 30, 1937 - January 20, 2011
Ralph Waldo "Wally" Roth, 73, of Hartford City, died on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at his home after a six year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Wally was born December 30, 1937 in Morton, Illinois to Ralph Roth and Elva (Schertz) Roth. He graduated from Morton High School in 1955. He attended Taylor University and graduated with a degree in Mathematics in 1959. While at Taylor he played on the football team and was elected student body president during his senior year. From 1959-61, Wally was a hall director at Swallow Robin residence hall at Taylor University. During the same time he achieved a Masters in Mathematics at Ball State University. Wally did additional graduate studies at Ohio State University for three years. He began his first teaching assignment at Malone College in 1964. Wally became a professor at Taylor University in 1967 and taught for 33 years. While at Taylor, he helped install the first computer. During his involvement, computer science grew from an offshoot of the math department into a fully accredited program and one of the most highly regarded small college programs in the Midwest. He also helped pioneer the business systems emphasis as well as the departments involvement in missions computing, programming contests, computer ethics and student internships. He was an active and founding member of Upland Community Church. He served on the mission board for 20 years and was also a member of the elder board. He was a lifelong, faithful Cubs fan. Wally enjoyed people from all walks of life and was known for his laugh and sense of humor. Wally is survived by his loving wife of fifty-one years, Marlene (Wilcox) Roth; their three sons, Keith Roth (wife Karen) of Davie, FL, Kevin Roth (wife Suzy) and Ken Roth (wife Jennifer), both of Fishers, IN; and ten beloved grandchildren. Wally was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Upland Community Church, 439 W. Berry Street, Upland, Indiana Officiant: Pastor Mark BiehlBurial: Jefferson Cemetery, Upland, Indiana Visitation: 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2011 at Jones-Smith Funeral Home, 259 N. Main Street, Upland, Indiana and one hour prior to services at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Taylor University for the Euler Science Complex, 236 West Reade Ave., Upland, IN 46989 or the Upland Community Church Missions Fund, 439 West Berry Ave, Upland, IN, 46989.
Tributes
"Wally was a great character. We loved to tease and tell him jokes. I was working as night watchman while regular man was on vacation. As I came to check the dorm front door he let a black pup go. That black movement got my attention. When I let myself down from the light fixture, there he was laughing. Whenever I was in the area, I liked to stop and check in with Wally. He could always get me to smile. David Walker"
"Marlene and family, Thank you for sharing Wally with us. You both were so insightful to have a vision for a new church 40 years ago be born in Upland. We have enjoyed your friendship for the past 20 years and have seen yoiur fruits grow to what the Upland Community Church family is today. You & Wally were always encouraging during Teresa's illness and death. We enjoyed and have been blessed by your friendship!"
"Dear Marlene, Just got off the phone with Bob and Linda Craton. Bob stated that he had been wishing for someone with whom he could share the content of the wonderful service at your church in honor of Wally. Remaining connected with you guys down through the years has been blessed. Sorry we were not able to attend--weather and some health issues. Our love and prayers are with you. Blest be the tie that binds. Love, Ted and Carol Curtis PS: Bob told of special times of fellowship with Wally traveling to and from Church board meetings during the past year."
"I am sorry to hear about Wally's passing and his struggle with ALS. The ASCUE meetings that I atteneded with Wally still bring back very fond memories. Wally was a special person who I know loved to talk with people. My father died of ALS, so I can imagine Wally found it frustrating. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"Dear Marlene I consider myself privileged for having taught at Taylor while Wally was there. I admired the manner in which handled his condition. He certainly was an inspiration to us all. Though we have not been around Taylor much he was always in our hearts and will continue to be. Thank you, Dick Dixon 01/24/2011 07:11:54 PM"
"Here is a poem my daughter wrote to share her sympathy for your loss. Heaven is calling me home I walked through the pearly gates as my heavenly family welcomed me It was my time to go be with the Father I'm in a happier place where the roads are paved with gold I leave my earthy body behind My spirit lives within your hearts I will always treasure my memories that I had on earth The angels carried me to heaven's gate, where my father welcomed me with open arms to everlasting life."
"Dear Marlene and Roth men, Howard and I are rejoicing with you for the reunion taking place in heaven--Wally with his Lord and Savior and many others who have gone before him. He will be blessed by the many lives he touched. I know we are. May God give you His sufficient grace to meet this time of sorrow."
"Our hearts and prayers are with you at the loss of such a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. His faith, kindness, encouragement, love for missions, and positive spirit blessed us many times. So did his faithful prayers for Lighthouse and interest in J.D.'s basketball officiating career. The way he lived is an inspiration to us. May the Holy Spirit provide comfort and peace to you now and in the months ahead."
"Thank you for sharing Wally with ASCUE and the computer science community. He has left his mark on many of us - particularly getting us to think about the ethical concerns surrounding modern day computing. I have happy memories of evenings spent at SIGCSE conferences where the Taylor and Saint Mary's folks went searching for restaurants their school budgets could afford; Wally always made the evenings fun. He truly made a difference in the world. Please accept my deepest sympathies. Mary Connolly Thank you, Mary Connolly 01/25/2011 11:11:18 AM"
"Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are extended your way, but we also celebrate the wonderful part that Wally had in so many lives! I mailed a physical copy of this to you, but I wrote for you a post in my "Invisible Issues" blog: http://angieknight.wordpress.com/2011/01/23/when-i-am-weak/ . We love you! Thank you, Angie Knight 01/25/2011 08:43:53 AM"
"Wally had a great impact on our family. His vision to see computers used in missions led to the early computerization of the OM ships and offices. Those projects first broght Linda and I to Taylor as missionaries in residence 30 years ago. Ten years later, when Linda and I were sensing that our time oversees was approaching a close, Wally's unexpected invitation for me to work at Taylor was perfectly timed. That "year" at Taylor has now stretched into twenty! Driving with Wally to the UCC elder board meetings this past year was always a blessing. Wally always had wonderful things to share. Although he was becoming weaker, his concerns for other people and his visions for the future were undiminished. If pressed, he would tell how he was doing, but never with complaint! Linda and I will miss Wally as a dear friend and as an example of a humble man of God."
"I am so sorry to hear of his death. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you during this time. However, I take joy in his life and work and in the knowledge that he is experiencing God's joy and peace today and forever more. Oren"
"Your husband, father and friend touched many lives beyond Upland. While I did not work with him long, I so appreciated his kind spirit and demeanor as I believe he came to TUFW to start the computer science program in Fort Wayne. Thank you for sharing him with us - he made a lasting impact on lives of his students, faculty and staff. Even after he became sick, he still had that cheerful grin, I am sure despite his pain. He certainly showed Jesus to many. May the Lord give you peace and positive memories of a very dear man of God. Grateful, I had the opportunity to know him."
"Marlene, We miss Wally already and know he is happy and laughing and telling stories to everyone in Heaven. He was a wonderful example of a continually growing Christian. He was not content to just grow old ... he wanted to grow. I love that about him. He was a champion of the International church and the persecuted church. He wasn't shy about sharing what was a burden on his heart. I know you miss him, and we will pray that Wally's love and your many (great and small) memories will sustain you."
"Marlene, Keith, Kevin & Ken (and other close family members): Our hearts are indeed sad, but we rejoice in the knowledge that Wally is again healthy and in the presence of our Lord. It was my (Bob) privilege to take chemistry with Wally as a student at Taylor and then to serve with him on the faculty. Rosanne was his classmate and only a year-and-a-half ago served with Wally on planning the 50-year reunion of the class of 1959. Our children still remember with fondness the overnight we spent with your family many moons ago at the Navajo College and the visit to Canyon de Chelly National Monument. We will always treasure our memory of Wally's smile, his friendship, his courage, and his genuine Christianity. We pray with you and for you. Bob & Rosanne"
"Marlene, We rejoice that our heavenly Father rescuced Wally from the severe limitations he was experiencing. We are praying for you--for God's comfort to you. You have done a superb job of giving Wally your loving care. Wally lived life to the full, and in the process, brought honor to Jesus Christ and blessing to many persons. I am proud to have been his cousin!"
"Dear Marlene & family, We extend our prayers and thoughts your way to say we will miss Wally. What a joy he was to know and serve with on the FEC International Ministries Board. Also to have him as a cousin (Cheryl's)and our visit last June. You will be in our prayers in the days ahead. Earl & Cheryl (Roth) Cecil"
"Marlene and sons, what a trouper your husbad and dad have been during his illness. I never saw Wally depressed. His smile will always be remembered by many. We were always blessed to see him and to speak with him. His witness for our Lord has been so very steady. May you be comforted during these difficult days. Our prayers are with you."
"Marlene and family, Wally helped us out greatly at Huntington University teaching courses several semesters. I always appreciated talking with him and value his mentoring. I was inspired by his optimism and service for the Lord. My deepest sympathies for your loss. -Jeff Lehman"
"Marlene - I will never forgot the kindness and friendship that you and Wally extended to me and my family when we came to Taylor. The offer to live in your house for the first several months while my family was unable to move to Upland was such a blessing. And Wally was a dear friend. He was the very first person I met when I came to Taylor to inverview. He was greatly loved, and will be greatly missed."
"Marlene: You and your family are in our prayers. We love you and know that God's arms are around you. Wish we could be there to give you a hug. You are in our thoughts. Love, Barb and Michael"
"Wally was a wonderful man. He and I had sabbatical in eastern Europe at the same time and we both were following a "though the Bible in a Year" set of readings. I was terribly homesick and having a fellow computer scientist with me made all the difference. I treasure his friendship and support and loved hearing about his wonderful family -- especially about the missionary pilot son! God is good -- all the time. I rejoice in his reward in heaven."