Donald Roth Obituary

Donald C. "Don" Roth

Apr 26, 1941 - Dec 28, 2022

Norwalk

Donald C Roth, 81, of Norwalk, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at home.

He was born April 26, 1941, in Norwalk, to Florence (Brengartner) and Richard Roth, the second of four sons. He grew up in Norwalk, graduating from St. Paul High School in 1959. After graduation, he received his degree in Engineering from The University of Dayton. He married Mary A. (Chum) Roth on July 4, 1964, and moved to Los Angeles, California, for a year. He and Chum moved back to Norwalk and remained life-long residents. He was a devote Catholic and member of St. Paul's Catholic Church.

He is survived by his children, Lucy (Brad) Hokes, Anne (Mark) DeWitt, Margaret "Peggy" Roth, Joseph (Theresa) Roth, Monica (Patrick) Nash, Paul (Colleen) Roth, William Roth, Laura (Michael) Chase, and Christina Hart; grandchildren, Matthew, Luke, Carl, Alex, Gabrielle, Mitchell, Nathan, Cecelia, Marianne, Charlie, Andrew, Orion, Emerson, Delaney, Molly, Conrad, Sylvester, and Beatrice; nine great-grandchildren; many, many nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Smith, Frances Hoffman, Jeanie Roth, Joan (Eric) Magnuson, Marcia Roth, Angela Roth, and Virginia Gerhart. He was also "grandpa" to several exchange students.

In addition to his wife, Mary A. (Chum), he was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Jane (Darby) and Joseph Gerhart; granddaughter, Willomina Chase; brothers, Robert Roth, Paul Roth, and Charles Roth; brothers-in-law, Gregory Gerhart and Victor Smith; sister-in-law, Kathleen Russell; and niece, Michelle (Roth) Crum.

During his time in California, Don went to school at Northrop University, obtaining his Commercial Pilots License. Chum was his first passenger after earning his private pilot's license. Don owned a Piper Cub and an Areocommander airplane. Don and Chum enjoyed using these planes to travel all over northern Ohio and the surrounding states. Their flying adventures include a trip in a Cessna to Florida for vacation, Fly-In potluck dinners, local airshows, and navigating the skies over Huron, Erie, and surrounding counties. His children and grandchildren were "frequent flyers." He would say, "nobody gives better roller coaster rides, not even Cedar Point."

Don worked for Roth Construction from his teenage years until his mid 40s and then worked at O.D.O.T. until retirement in 2002.

Working for Roth Construction, Don helped build or add additions to many schools and buildings in the Norwalk area. If you drove anywhere with him, he made sure to point out which buildings he worked on. The Mansfield Reformatory is one he remembered as one of the most unique work conditions.

Don was a master when it came to fixing anything from cars, lawnmowers, plumbing, electrical, etc. and he shared his knowledge with anyone who needed help. Just make sure to hand him the right tool or hold the flashlight the right way.

Don's depth of mechanical, electrical, and construction engineering had little limits. He was able to diagnose and repair almost anything. (Although his smartphone left him flummoxed on a daily basis.) His knowledge made him bold in what he was able to construct. There are fond memories of him using his crane operating skills to take the roof off the back of the house, set it in the side yard while he added two bedrooms and a bathroom to our home, then place the roof back on the house, all in the span of a day.

He was a member of Eagles Local 711, Knights of Columbus, Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 50, and the local McDonalds R.O.M.E.O. group.

Don was a curmudgeon in the best sort of way. He had an opinion on everything and you could rarely change his mind. He will be dearly missed. We know he is in a much better place with a new set of wings.

Visitation will be 2-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, Norwalk. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Norwalk.

Fond memories and condolences may be shared online at www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com.