Richard “Rich” Lynn Roth, 78, of Rossville, Indiana, passed peacefully on to be with his Lord on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at his home. Rich was born on August 4, 1945, to Henry and Olive (Davis) Roth. He graduated from Rossville High School in 1963. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathie “KT” Thorp on September 3, 1965. Rich and KT had two children, a daughter, SharmaLe, and a son, Richard “Ric” Gerald. Ric preceded Rich in death on May 10, 2013. Also, preceding him in death was his brother, Gerald Roth.
Surviving are his wife, KT Roth; his sister, Patty Cohee; his brother, Dallas Roth; his daughter, Sharma Brenneman (Dennis Aldridge); grandsons, Derek (Kristen), Luke, and Ethan Brenneman, all of Rossville. Also surviving are his great-grandchildren, Elyse, Sadie, and Waylon Richard Brenneman (Derek & Kristen).
After a very successful basketball career at Rossville High School, Rich received a scholarship offer to continue his basketball journey at Butler University. He decided the big city was not for him, so he transferred to Purdue for his second semester of freshman year, where he played on the Purdue Men’s Basketball Freshman Team. By 1966, Rich knew that he wanted to pursue the career field of heavy equipment construction. The last 30 years of his career he spent as a foreman for a crew at Mohr Construction in Kokomo.
Rich had a kind, loving spirit about him and always took pride in the best things of life, including his faith in his Savior, his family, his Mustang, the farm which has been in the family since 1866, and auto racing. His love for auto racing was evident in his attendance of the Indianapolis 500 for 60 plus years consecutively. Race days were more than just a sporting event for Rich, but a time to spend with his race family. His dedication to racing earned him the nickname “Papa Goo.”
Rich’s memorial service will be held at the Rossville Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 13, 2023. Calling will be from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 7:00 p.m.
Memorial donations can be made to the Rossville Presbyterian Church or the Riley Children’s Foundation. Day & Genda Funeral Home ~ Bodine Chapel is assisting with arrangements. Messages of condolence to the family are welcomed at www.dayandgenda.com.