Gene E. Roth

Eugene “Gene” Edward Roth, 85, passed away at the Carlisle UMPC ICU Monday, March 10. He was the son of the late W. Mark and Madeline W. Roth, born in Carlisle, PA, January 10, 1940.

Gene was a member of the Carlisle First Church of the Brethren, baptized May 29, 1949. He graduated from Boiling Springs High School in 1957. He worked as a teller in the Farmers Bank and Trust in Carlisle two years before going into Brethren Volunteer Service. Gene served as a program director for children and youth in a settled migrant worker’s camp in LaVerne, CA, for two years.

Gene attended McPherson College, McPherson, KS, and earned a BA in sociology in 1969, staying an extra year to receive an elementary school certificate. He taught for two years in the elementary school in Minburn, IA. In 1973 Gene began teaching in the Cumberland Valley School District, teaching fifth grade in the Hampden Elementary School. He retired in June 2005, having taught 35 years. He appreciated students’ comments about the impact he had on their lives.

Gene worked for two summers as the Program Director for Camp Eder, Fairfield, PA, overseeing the leadership for worship, campfires, vespers, and ecology. He was cited for his effective leadership for camp operation and for sharing his love and faith with all who attend Camp Eder.

After his retirement from teaching, Gene volunteered at Project Share, serving three days a week preparing food bags of one week’s worth of groceries once a month for the Carlisle community.

Gene had a passion for reading children’s books which led him to reading for the preschoolers and kindergarteners who attended the Carlisle Community Nursery School in the Carlisle First Church of the Brethren. From 2016-2018 he read books to the kindergarteners.

Gene was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA) in 2018, but he kept his mind active doing Crossword Puzzles and Word Seeks. He enjoyed watching sports and nature stories on TV and tuning in to the Gaither Brothers programs.

In addition to his parents, Gene was predeceased by an older Brother Kenneth and his youngest brother Phillip. He is survived by his sister Anna Belser (John Stultzfus) of Elizabethtown, PA; a brother Dale (Sandy) of State College, PA, and his brother Paul Roth (Linda) of Harrisonburg, VA. He is also survived by nine nieces and nephews, as well as many great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation at Hoffman Funeral & Cremation, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle will be Friday, March 21, 6-8 pm. The casket will be closed. A private family graveside service will be at Westminster Cemetery in the morning of March 22. Pastor Doug Miller and Pastor Paul Roth will lead a memorial service at 2 pm at the Carlisle First Church of the Brethren, 1340 Forge Road, Carlisle. The women’s fellowship will offer a light lunch after the service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift in Gene’s name may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202.