Lasting Memories
Irwin Roth
Sept. 20, 1928-April 17, 2018
Palo Alto, California
Irwin "Irv" Roth passed away at home surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with congestive heart failure on April 17. He is survived by Frances, his wife of 67 years; his 5 children: Alison, Daniel, Stephanie, Andrea, and Lisa; his children's partners: Karin Ashley, Kim Klein, and Larry McDonald; his grandchildren Emma and Alexanna; and his beloved dog Lindsey. Irv was born in Jackson Heights, New York, the youngest of Louis and Rose Roth's four children. Too young to serve in the Navy with his siblings in World War II, he joined the NROTC and pursued a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Virginia, where he was a member of Tau Beta Pi. After graduating from UVA, Irv was stationed in Long Beach, California and served as a naval officer at sea on the USS Samuel N Moore during the Korean War. His shipmates remained some of his closest friends despite being scattered across the country. After leaving the Navy he declared himself a Californian by choice, and settled in Palo Alto with his growing family. He began his long engineering career at Stanford Research Institute while earning his Masters in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, and was involved in building the satellite tracking dishes that still stand in the hills above the university. While working at various companies (most significantly Ampex) in what has become Silicon Valley, Irv engaged in community and public service, taught mathematics evening classes at Foothill College, tutored young inmates at the county jail, lead Junior Achievement groups and served on the Wedde Handiswimmers Board. Upon retirement from engineering, he took a job at REI tuning skis and bicycles. His last and perhaps most satisfying job was the over 10 years he spent working at Peet's Coffee in Town and Country Village in Palo Alto. He enjoyed interacting with the customers as a barista and coffee salesman, as well as fixing the equipment in the store. Irv loved working with his hands. His avocations included sandal making, carving linoleum blocks for prints and, in his later years, watercolor painting. His paintings are scattered around the country and the world, appreciated by his art classmates, friends and family. In his 50s he took up running and participated in 10K races around the Bay Area almost every weekend until his mid-60s. At age 65 he ran in his first marathon, raising money for leukemia research with Team in Training. After completing a second marathon he had a knee replacement and was encouraged to take up swimming. Thereafter Irv swam early every morning with the Stanford Masters Program. A consummate family man, he was proudest of the children he raised with his wife Frances, and of his many nieces and nephews who consider him a second father. We remember him fondly and will miss him greatly.
June 11, 2018
