Kenneth Merle Roth

Kenneth Merle Roth, age 58, beloved husband, brother, uncle, colleague and friend, was gently lifted to heaven to be with his Lord and Savior on December 14, 2017, after a valiant and private nine-month battle with cancer.

Born in Marion, Ohio to Merle and Kathy Roth, Ken earned a bachelor’s degree

from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois and his Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Over his 25 plus years with the State of Michigan, Ken was an attorney for the Michigan Public Service Commission focusing on public utility and regulatory policy and had previously worked for the Michigan Court of Appeals. He became a freelance writer after his State of Michigan career. Ken wrote and contributed articles for the Cruthirds Report, a national publication focusing on energy news and issues related to the Tennessee Valley Authority, among others.

Ken was a member of the Bar in both Michigan and Ohio. An active member of the Red Cedar Church in Okemos, Michigan, Ken was also a volunteer with the Salvation Army Food Pantry and Walls of Warmth.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife Karen J. (Kerzak) Roth of East Lansing, Michigan; sister Karen (Doug) Yoshino of Holland, Ohio; sisters-in-law Kristine Dillon (Saginaw, MI); Jeanne (John) Wells (Troy, MI); brother-in-law John Kaye (Boulder, CO); beloved nieces and nephew, Katie Yoshino (Albuquerque, NM), Chloe Wells (Troy, MI) and Nathan Yoshino (Columbus, OH); and mother and father-in-Law, Floyd and Lois Krzak (Saginaw, MI). He was predeceased by his parents Merle and Kathy.

Ken had a special love for dogs and most all that he met returned that love. He and his wife Karen shared their home with rescue dogs and as trusted and welcoming dog-sitters, frequently welcomed many of their friends’ dogs.

Ken was a loyal Ohio State University sports fan; he proudly wore the scarlet and gray to all sporting events but was always respectful of the passion that others have for their own favorite schools and teams. He loved a wide variety of books and was a voracious reader. Ken read the New York Times daily and was a NYT crossword puzzle aficionado.

The Roth family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. John C. Krauss, Kim Snedeker RN, and staff at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMCCC) and Dr. Nehal Lakhani from Southern Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START Midwest) in Grand Rapids, MI, for their dedication and treatment while Ken participated in one of their clinical trials. They also wish to express their heartfelt appreciation to the Sparrow Hospital nurses on 5 West for their care in Ken’s final days.

Cremation will take place and a memorial service will be scheduled in April 2018. In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution in Ken’s memory to Olivet Nazarene University or UMCCC. Donations will support the UMCCC Fund for Discovery. Checks may be made payable to “University of Michigan” and sent to Michigan Medicine Office of Development, 1000 Oakbrook Dr., Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. You may also call 734-764-6777 or visit the website http://victors.us/kennethmroth to make your gift. Olivet donations can be sent to: Olivet Nazarene University, 1 University Avenue, Bourbonnais, IL 60914