Foster Miller Routh Jr.

COLUMBIA A Celebration of Life Service for Foster Miller “Bill” Routh, 87, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at First Baptist Church, Columbia, Boyce Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at the residence of Paige and Julie Carlton at 2077 Shady Lane, Columbia. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Mr. Routh died Sunday, November 15, 2015. Born January 28, 1928, in Columbia, he was the son of the late Dr. Foster M. Routh, Sr. and Zoe Peeples Routh. He graduated from Columbia High School and the University of South Carolina and received a Masters degree from Northwestern University. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in both the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army. He spent seven years in radio and television broadcasting and 30 years in State Government. He helped put Columbia’s second television station, WNOK-TV (now WLTX-TV) on the air in September 1953, serving as an announcer and later Sports and Program Director. Prior to leaving broadcasting full-time, he was the play-by-play announcer for the Columbia Reds Baseball team and served as color-commentator for the USC Gamecock football radio broadcasts. He continued broadcasting high school football games when he began his state government career and served as host of the Hancock Buick Football Scoreboard on WCOS radio. He was Director of the Division of Health Education and Information with the State Board of Health (now DHEC) until 1970 and Deputy Director of the S.C. Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (now DAODAS) until his retirement in 1987. Mr. Routh served as president of the South Carolina Public Health Association in 1969 and the Southern Branch of the American Public Health Association in 1975. He was subsequently honored with Meritorious Achievement Awards from both organizations. He was also active in the American Public Health Association, including six years as a member of its Governing Council. He was a Charter Member of the State Sertoma Club, a member of the Executive Club and a member of the State Employees Association and its Board of Directors, serving as Chairman of the Retirees. He was honored with the Association’s Outstanding State Employee Award for 2005. He was also a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Columbia and was a member of the Pascal Colson Sunday School Class. As a lifelong Gamecock fan, he enjoyed attending numerous sporting events with family and friends. Following his retirement, he and Shirley enjoyed traveling the world together. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Green Routh; six children, Carol P. Routh of Columbia, Shirley G.“Sisi” Routh of Columbia, Zoe Susan Routh of Columbia, Foster M. “Billy” Routh III of Columbia, Julie Routh Carlton (Paige) of Columbia, John H. Routh of Miami, Fla.; three grandchildren, Lucas, Mills and Parker Carlton, all of Columbia. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Television Ministry, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201.