Roy Allen Roth

While hunting Dall sheep on Pioneer Peak on Oct. 4, 2015, Roy Roth, 49, fell to his death.

Roy, one of Ray and Shirley Roth’s five children, and the only son, was born, Dec. 1, 1965, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

Always drawn to the outdoors, Roy grew up hunting, fishing and running a trap line around the small Oregon town of Marcola, where he graduated from Mohawk High School in 1984. After high school, Roy married his high school sweetheart, Jill, and they just recently celebrated their 30th anniversary.

Roy continued his education at Lane Community College, where he studied construction management. He used his construction and carpentry skills daily while working with his dad, Ray, as owners of Roth Construction.

Roy and Jill started a beautiful family five years into their marriage and were first blessed with a daughter, Ellen, then two sons, Taylor and Justin.

In 1994, Roy helped the pastor at his church in Marcola move to Alaska. Driving the Alaska Highway during his pastor’s move north must have been a powerful experience, because when Roy returned home, he talked with Jill about moving their family to Alaska, which they did. Eventually settling in Wasilla, they have called Alaska home for the past 21 years.

They fell so in love with Alaska, apparently speaking of her beauty often enough, that nearly all of Roy’s and Jill’s families ended up moving north to Alaska as well.

Through his business, Roth Construction, Roy was a successful general contractor, as well as a hunting and fishing guide, and he just this past year became a registered guide and outfitter as owner of Roy Roth’s Alaskan Adventures. Building and hunting/guiding were two trades that Roy loved. On the construction site he had vision and an uncanny ability to motivate and give direction, but he wasn’t just a supervisor, he was a do-er. His strong, callused hands were a tell-tale sign that he was a hard-working man who led by example.

In the mountains or on the water, Roy was one of the most talented hunters and guides you’ll ever meet. He was an amazing outdoorsman and excelled in situations where many would falter. He was ever the optimist and could keep his wits about him when everything seemed to be crumbling around him. From fixing broken down snowmachines to stopping a charging grizzly, Roy always did whatever it took to keep himself and his clients safe. Anyone who spent time with him on the hunt or in a boat quickly came to respect his ability.

But more than his toughness, his strength or his talents, Roy was first and foremost a family man. He loved his wife and kids more than words could ever describe. The legacy he leaves behind is that of a hard-working Christian man, who loved the Lord and took care of those close to his heart. Roy’s daughter, Ellen, recently wrote a few thoughts after her dad’s passing that seem to sum up Roy’s amazing impact on his family. She wrote, “He loved my mama so much that he would call me from hunting to pick up some roses for her to let her know he was thinking of her. He loved my brothers with all his heart and made sure they knew how to be a wonderful, strong Christian man. I’ll never understand why he had to go so soon, but I find comfort in knowing that he taught us how to be strong in the Lord and he is there with Him right now. I pray we all draw closer to God and each other during this impossible time. I know that is what Daddy would want.”

There will be a Celebration of Life this Saturday, Oct. 10, at 11 a.m., at Palmer High School in Palmer, Alaska.