Roland Roth
By Glen Roth

Roland Roth (6/8/24 – 1/4/01) is best described as a gentle man.  He grew up on the family farm established by his father Herman and mother Elsie in 1922.  Roland lived on the farm all of his life and early in his life he was named Sparky.  A few school kids did this after an uncoordinated horse in a comic strip.  This came from his slow running on the ball field. 

He was conscientious in his stewardship of the family farm working with Herman.  He graduated from Reese High School in 1942 and continued his studies for a while at a business institute in Bay City, but decided his future was farming. 

He married Clara Leitow in November 1957.  He has two children June  and Glen.  Roland loved working for Trinity Lutheran Church in various capacities, fishing and politics.  He was a person who spoke to strangers easily and made others feel very comfortable.  Roland liked people and it showed even though he was in many ways shy. 

In 1979, Roland was appointed Denmark Township Treasurer and held the elected position until his death in 2001.  Through all his accomplishments, joys, disappointments and challenges he was determined to be a calming influence to others and to share his wonderful faith in Christ through example. 

He towered above others from his 6 foot 4 inch frame and he was very visible with a gentle and caring charm and had memorable distinctive looks.  Roland had a very good memory for a story, antidote and a keen sense of history, but his most outstanding attribute was his gentle faith and gift with people.