Edward F Roth CDR USN RET
July 21, 1922-May 14, 2017
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Submitted by Elizabeth (Betsy) Roth Caldwell
Edward F. Roth ("Fritz”) CDR USN RET Fritz (94) Palo Alto native & "Senior Blue" flew his final solo peacefully on May 14, 2017, at his home in Virginia Beach, VA.
Born in Healdsburg, CA. on July 21, 1922, Fritz was the first son of the late Dr. Earl F. Roth (aka “Fritz”), Palo Alto Medical Clinic Founder, Stanford Team Physician and Orthopedic Surgeon, and mother Josephine Reed Roth.
Growing up in Geyserville, Calistoga and Palo Alto, CA, Fritz was the oldest of four brothers, Wally, Bob and Hans (all predeceased) and sister, Cynthia Colt (surviving). Reading novels, every Will James book written and the dictionary was a favorite pastime for young Fritz. Inviting his pony “Mustard” inside the kitchen of the big house on Edgewood Dr., seemed like a good time too. Fritz enjoyed hunting and fishing the wilds of Mendocino Co.
At age 11, Fritz was seriously injured when he fell off a 50’ cliff while hunting with his father on their reserve at Covelo. He received a fractured skull, broken leg and was severely bruised. After a month at the hospital he was able to return home. Seven years later, Fritz fractured his neck doing a back dive in the ocean at Santa Cruz. He was 18, paralyzed and confined to traction at the Palo Alto hospital under his father's care for almost a year before starting physical therapy.
Not fully recovered, Fritz enrolled into U.C. Berkeley's V-12 Navy College Training Program. Navy officer candidates also had to complete the V-7 U.S. Naval Midshipmen’s School. A contributing factor for him joining was the “rigid physical requirements.” Fritz wanted to be 100 percent after he broke his neck and knew the boot camp would present that challenge. By 1946, Fritz was a top notch pilot stationed at Oceana Naval Base in Virginia Beach. He met Sarah Elizabeth Thornton in 1947 at the officers club and they married the following year at the First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk. Fritz (26) had been nominated by his commander to become a Blue Angel and the day after the wedding the newlyweds drove to Pensacola to join the rest of the team. Flying the F8F Bearcat and Grumman's new F9F Panther Jet, they thrilled the stands until mid 1950. After one of the Blue Angels last shows in San Francisco, the demonstration team was disbanded to fly combat in Korea. There, they formed the nucleus of the VF-191, calling themselves “Satan’s Kittens” and later the “Honey Bears.”
After 20 years and 5 children, Fritz retired a commander and moved the family to San Jose, CA to get into the toy and pool business, "Kiddie World" with his brother Bob Roth.
In 1976, it was time to pursue his dream of breeding and raising Thoroughbred race horses. Fritz and Sarah loved life on the farm in Aromas, CA with family, friends and at times over 100 horses. Fritz also served on the San Benito Planning Commission.
After 58 years of marriage, beloved Sarah passed (2006) and Fritz left his farm to join his daughter in Virginia Beach. He reunited with old friends and made new ones, swam in the bay, enjoyed working out at the gym with Dave, lunch at Uncle Al’s and an occasional Guinness. A modest man with true grit, a sense of humor and the last of "The Greatest Generation," Fritz was a remarkable man with a will of iron, who lived an incredible life.
Preceded in death by daughter Susan Roth, survived by Dale Roth, Stephanie and Fritz Roth Jr., Deborah and Dan Roth, Elizabeth Caldwell, and many grand and great grandchildren.
Services to be held in the fall at Arlington Cemetery. Gratitude and thanks for the love and caring hands of Ana, Chris, Tamera, Nancy and Crystal, making it possible for Fritz to live his life at home.
Tags: veteran, business, public service
