Dennis Roth

Dennis Roth (Denny to those who loved him), who spent a lifetime proving that determination and sharp wit could carry a man from a Cleveland dairy to the courtroom, died February 10, 2026, in Scottsdale, AZ. He was 84.

Denny was born on April 15, 1941, to Manny and Molly Roth and grew up working alongside his father at the family dairy in Cleveland. He went on to graduate cum laude from The Ohio State University, and later, while working full time at Ford Motor Company, earned his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law studying at night, a feat of persistence that surprised no one who knew him.

He built a distinguished career in health care law, earning a reputation for his command of the courtroom. Colleagues and opponents alike knew him as "the Dragon" — a name that suited both his tenacity in litigation and the glint in his eye when he knew he had the winning argument.

His first marriage, to Judy Danzinger, gave him two daughters. His daughter Wendy remembers a father who worked long hours to build his practice and provide for his family, then came home and sat beside her to play computer games and share his deep love of science fiction — gifts of time and imagination she carries with her still.

The great chapter of Denny’s personal life began when he married Debbie, his beloved wife of thirty years and the love of his life. Together they raised their children, Robert and Suzanne Schildhouse, and built a life of adventure. They moved to Arizona, explored the world together, sailed the waters of Tahiti, and roamed North America by motorcycle. Debbie was his partner in everything, and she cared for him with extraordinary devotion.

His son Robert remembers a debate opponent beyond compare, who often treated the dinner table like a boxing ring, and ensured that preparedness and conviction were rewarded with even more challenging arguments in the next round. Many tools were sharpened in those contests, like there was a grand plan to send him off into the world with the confidence to stand up to any challenge with the will of a prize fighter. There was nobody prouder of his successes like they were his own.

His daughter Suzanne remembers a father who stepped into her life at a young age and became her fiercest champion, backing every dream she dared to name, then steering her toward weekends on the boat at Catawba and Put-in-Bay where he taught her to always prioritize the fun in life. They could recite every word of Sister Act 2 in perfect unison, a shared script of laughter (and always with an Oreo Blizzard in-hand). In the end, moving to Arizona to help care for him and her mother became the greatest blessing of her life – time returned in full circle, and love repaid with presence.

Denny was a man of deep curiosity: a student of history who was endlessly fascinated by wars and battles, a technology enthusiast, and someone who never stopped learning. But his greatest joy was being Papa Denny to his grandchildren: Nate, Sam, Abigail, Bennett, Ryan, and Quinn, all of whom he loved dearly.

Preceded in death by his sister Sandy Tisch, he is survived by his wife Debbie; his daughters Wendy Roth (Joel Rosenbaum) and Erika Kohler (Aaron); his son Robert Schildhouse (Diana) and daughter Suzanne Schildhouse; and his six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 1PM at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 S. Taylor Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118. Interment immediately following at Bet Olam Cemetery, 25796 Chagrin Blvd, Beachwood, OH 44122.

Shiva will be observed at the home of Karen and Kevin Kutz, 6686 Brandamore Ct, Solon, OH 44139, as follows – Sunday, February 15th: Immediately following burial until 9PM Monday, February 16th: 2-5PM and 7-9PM

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Mission of Care Foundation, 42104 N Venture Dr, Unit D118 Anthem, AZ 85086 or online at missionofcare.org.

Professional services have been entrusted to Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel.

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