ROBERT A. ROTH, 69, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 1:40 am, Friday, September 14, 2012 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri He was born to Edgar and Edith (nee Mizer) Roth on February 4, 1943 in Chester, Illinois. He was married to Shirley A. Sternberg on April 20, 1963 at St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois; she survives. Robert worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad/Union Pacific Railroad for 42 years. He retired as a conductor in 2002. He received a national safety award for 42 years of injury free service. He was fondly known as "R.A." by his railroad buddies. He was also United Transportation Union member. Chester, Illinois was his lifelong home. He attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated with the Class of 1961 from Chester High School. He excelled in sports and played baseball and basketball during his grade school and high school years. His passion for sports continued during his lifetime, because one of his favorite past times was watching Cardinal's baseball and Ram's football games. He was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church and he served on St. John Lutheran School Board. For several years, he taught along with his wife, Shirley, bible classes at Menard Correctional Center in Chester. Robert's family was everything to him. He was called "huggy bear" because he was a devoted husband and father. Survivors: Wife: Shirley Roth Chester, IL 2 Daughters: Gina (Tobin) Search Columbia, IL Wendy (Jeffrey) Gabel St. Louis, MO 1 Sister: Betty (Dale) Holloman Marion, IL 4 Grandchildren: Tanner & Trey Search Joshua & Jessica Gabel Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends. Preceded in death by: Parents - Edgar Roth & Edith Radford and 2 Brothers - Gary & Larry Roth Funeral Service: 3:00 pm, Sunday, September 16, 2012 St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois Officiating: Rev. Mark Willig Visitation: Sunday - 9:00 am - 1:30 pm Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois Interment: St. John Lutheran Cemetery Chester, Illinois Memorials: St. John Lutheran Church
