Robert Frederick Roth

A sheet metal worker by trade, his career included working for others; but his greatest joy was going into business with his son Rob under the banner of R&R Sheet Metal in 1990. Working for themselves and running the shop the way they wanted, was a huge accomplishment for them both. He retired to his own shop a few years later; where he went on to perfect the art of speaking with his hands through his incredible creations.

Papa Bear as he was affectionately called could do anything, he could fix anything or make anything and he loved when one of us would show up with something we wanted made! It was seldom the same as the idea we brought when he was finished, it was always better – because he would put his own practicality and ingenuity into it! Whether he was building a house or a barn the same standards applied – if it’s a job worth doing, it’s a job worth doing right and the running joke within the family is that nothing is truly broke unless Papa can’t fix it!

Robert met his loving wife Elizabeth (Betty) in 1963, the two were married on August 21, 1965 and began what would become a beautiful love story of hard work, mutual respect and dedication to their dreams! In August of 2025 surrounded by family and friends they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on their beautiful property, Roth’s Roots. When asked what the secret to their success was, there were two things that were abundantly clear, they never went to bed angry and family was always first!

The move to the family home in Puslinch in December of 1972 was a huge leap of faith for the young couple and their 3 children, a big mortgage and 5 acres of hopes and dreams! The bare land underwent an incredible transformation in the 54 years that they stewarded the property with love and infinite ideas to make it their own. Roth’s Roots was the heart and soul of the two of them and has a lifetime of stories of the love they shared!

Every tree holds a story of where it came from and how it was planted, the gardens, the pillars that Robert built with his own Father, the log cabin, the firepit, the swing set, the barn/shop, the doll house, the greenhouse, the copper tree and his most recent accomplishment the refurbished wooden wagon that he proudly displays in the yard. Every piece and every project were added with the hopes of building a family legacy, a place to call home.

Whether he was chainsaw carving with Derek or fixing the Jeep with Jim, he loved being in his shop. To walk through it is a daunting space of tools to the naked eye, but ask Robert for an electrical marrette or a red robertson and he would know exactly where to find it! While it was a place of creating it was also a place of relaxing, of chipmunks and a pet baby bunny that he and Betty befriended enjoying their evening coffee looking out over the property together. If you’ve been to the house you’ve sat in the shop!

The door was always open and Robert was quick to help wherever he could. Over the last few days listening to him be remembered there have been many things that resonated, he was a man of few words, he was kind and humble, he was honest and held in high regard everywhere he went, he didn’t ask for more than he needed and he was grateful for all that he had, he loved his wife and his children above all, and he would not be told how to live his life! While every word is true, he would have down played it all, but we were always quick to tell him he was loved and so appreciated.

Everyone who shared his life benefited in some way, and the family will miss him deeply. He was the anchor that kept us grounded and the sail that let us fly.

Jo Ann and James didn’t share the Sheet Metal connection with their dad, but Robert opened himself to being apart of fixing jeeps and boats, going fishing, building pole studios and hay mangers and turning slabs of wood into pieces of art to ensure that he was equally a part of everyone’s life. His pride in his children and all their accomplishments was always on display.

Robert passed at home, on the property that he and his wife Betty have nurtured for 50+ years. ‘Roth’s Roots’ where he lived his life his own way, raised children and created a space for the grand children whom he loved without measure; the property and the peace it has come to represent brought him so much joy, and will continue to hold the family and his memory for years to come.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Elizabeth and their three children Jo Ann (Ron) Koniuch, Robert (Susie) Roth and James Roth, his grandchildren Jessica, Melissa, Sierra, Alyssa and Cameron and great grandson Jacob Conley, his sister Dianne (Gene) Babcock and Linda Voisin, his brothers & sisters in law Patrick (Shelley) Doyle, Bonnie (David)Peer, Kevin (Beverly) Doyle, Ted (Jean) Doyle and Teresa Doyle and his many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his loving parents Gustav and Anna (Schwartz) Roth, his brothers Theodore and David, his brothers in law Gerald, William, Charles, Bernard, Peter, Frank, Wood Robinson, Pat Millar and his sisters in law Gertrude and Nora, and his cherished grandson Derek Koniuch.

Family was so important to Robert, the family traditions and celebratory gatherings created so many treasured memories over the years! A Celebration of Life is being planned and details will be shared at a later date; an open house at Roth’s Roots where all of his creations to be on display; we will welcome everyone to hear the stories and celebrate the man we love and miss so dearly.

In lieu of flowers the family invites donations to the Guelph Humane Society or a charity of your choice.