Dennis Roth

Reverend Dr.

Dennis J Roth

1939-2010 BRATTLEBORO, Vt. Reverend Dr. Dennis J Roth, 71 passed away peacefully at home Sunday morning, July 25, 2010 after battling a bone marrow disease. His family was at his side.

Denny was born on February 8, 1939 at the Graham Memorial Hospital in Keokuk, Iowa the son of Willis and Beulah Denly Roth. He grew up on a farm in Southeast Iowa and was very involved in 4-H club activites with his sister Betty and his parents. Denny graduated from Donnellson High School in 1956, after being a member of Future Farmers of America and being hand picked to participate in the National Chorus. He graduated from Parsons College in 1960, then went off to Theological Seminary in New York City. He graduated and was ordained at the United Church of Donnellson, Iowa on Aug. 20, 1967. He then spent 10 years teaching at Northfield School for Girls, during which time he earned his Masters of Education in Guidance and Counceling at UMass Amherst. After his time at NMH, Denny moved into calling as a minister. He spent 9 years serving the United Church of Christ in Bernardston, Ma. where he met Jill foster, his wife of 29 years. He then spent seven years serving the congregation in Princeton, Mass. There he began his Doctor of Ministry program through Bangor Theological Seminary. The degree was awarded in 1998, two years after the family moved to Brattleboro, Vt., where he served for 9 years before retiring in 2005. Since then, Denny has been the part-time settled pastor in Turners Falls, Ma. Throughout his life he has always been passionate about reaching out and ministering to all who came his way. He always did everything he could to include all generations in his ministry. His love of music and theater shone bright in his weekly pulpit performances, expecially when he invited his family to sing with him. Denny had such love of life and wanted to share it with the world.

He is survived by his wife Jill, and daughters: Ginver Hughes and her husband, Jon, Sarah Young and her husband, Dan, Joyanna Damon and her husband, Steve, and Rebekah Kersten and her husband, James, and daughter Debbie Shallit and her husband, David and son James and his wife, Wendy, from a previous marriage. He is also survived by his sister: Betty Roth Powell, and father-in-law Frank R. "Bud" Foster, seven grandchildren and 13 nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Will be Sunday Aug. 1, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Bernardston, Church St. Bernardston, Mass. The Rev. Raymond Medeiros, Pastor will officiate. Burial will follow in Center, Cemetery, Bernardston, Mass.

There will be calling hours in Fellowship Hall of the United Church of Bernardston on Saturday July 31, 2010 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Oncology Dept. Brattleboro Mem. Hosp, 9 Belmont Ave. Brattleboro, Vt. 05301.

Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave. Northfield, Mass is in charge of arrangements.

To send condolences or for directions please visit www.kidderfuneralhome.com