Richard 'Boyd' Roth, 75

Richard “Boyd” Roth, 75, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

He was born with twin Amelia Sue Stenslie on May 8, 1938, at St. Patrick Hospital to Richard Roth and Dorothy Archibald Roth.  

He attended schools in Clinton and Deer Lodge, and Missoula County High School. He graduated from Walla Walla High School and entered the Navy Reserve.  

In 1961, Boyd graduated from the University of Montana. While in college he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He received his teaching credentials from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma and taught school in Lacey, Wash.

He worked for Boeing and Weyerhaeuser in Washington, for the Northern Pacific Railroad, sold real estate in Missoula, and sold AAA insurance in Missoula and Kalispell. He received the “Hall of Fame” spot with the Montana Center on Disabilities at Montana State University at Billings. He was recognized by the Mental Health Oversight and Advisory Council. Boyd was an active mental-health advocate, heading both NAMI Flathead and the Northwest Citizens Advisory Council for mental health issues.

Boyd felt a great debt of gratitude to Miss Clark and Miss Simonton for bringing him to a great love for Jesus Christ in his early years. The twins have wonderful memories of going to Bible camp — in the back of a cattle truck loaded with hay, suitcases and sleeping bags — singing all the way! The twins greatly loved dancing the jitterbug together.

Boyd married Linda Dillard in 2001, and she brought great joy into his life. He was greatly involved with the National Day of Prayer. Boyd was area governor of Toastmasters for the state of Washington, which inspired him later in life to start a house in Kalispell called “Helping People,” where he housed homeless men and helped them find jobs. Boyd’s pre-recorded answering machine leaves a message of hope for all who call, ending with “May God bless you and keep you happy!”

Boyd was preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Dorothy Roth.  

He is survived by his wife, Linda Roth; his twin, Sue Stenslie and her husband Burt; his aunt, Peg Ranta (late husband Arne); his niece, Koena (Eric) Schiedermayer; nephews, Mark (Angela) and Joel (Kathy) Stenslie; many dear cousins; and 18 great-nieces and -nephews.

“We thank Linda Mesha and Sonya Millheim, Dick Dasen, Cal Scott, the Kalispell Dialysis Center, NAMI, Sykes and Montana Club in Kalispell, St. Patrick Hospital, and all who cared for and were a special part of Boyd’s life, we thank you for your great love and service! Thank you also to Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Garden City Floral.”

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the Salvation Army in Kalispell, followed by a luncheon.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you make a memorial donation to NAMI, P.O. Box 1021, Helena, MT 59824 or at http://www.namimt.org/donate.html.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Boyd’s family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Boyd’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.