Stanley “Stan” David Roth, Jr.
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Stanley David Roth Jr., 89, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, August 3, 2024, in Lawrence, KS, with family by his side. A memorial service will be held Monday, August 12, at 10am at the First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence. The family will receive friends from 5-7pm on Sunday, August 11, at Warren McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Stan was born May 21, 1935, in Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of Dr. Stanley and Lucile Graunke Roth. After graduating in 1953 from high school in Olathe, KS, Stan attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, KS, where he discovered his life-long passion for biology, earning a BSE with majors in biology and industrial arts and a MS in Biology. Desiring to share his boundless enthusiasm for the natural world, he embarked on a teaching career at Lawrence High School in 1959 and taught high school students biology in Lawrence for 40 years.
The high standards Stan set for his students were matched by the remarkable opportunities he provided to enhance their learning experiences, including live menagerie classrooms and weekend and summer field trips to discover and experience the treasures of the Kansas natural environment. He inspired students with his infectious enthusiasm for the natural world and involved them in several long-term studies investigating cave bats, snake dens, Ferruginous Hawks, Great Blue Herons, and the diversity of amphibians and reptiles. Not only did students learn about the natural environment, they also learned lessons about life and how to be good people and care for others. An astounding number chose careers in science and medicine after being exposed to the world of science and discovery by Stan.
In addition to teaching and research, Stan served as an officer in numerous professional scientific organizations in Kansas, some for which he was a charter member. He also served as president of the National Association of Biology Teachers. In these organizations, he became well acquainted with professional biologists and university colleagues who then opened doors to Stan’s students, providing them with further opportunities to enhance their experiences. After retiring from teaching, he continued as an adjunct naturalist at the Kansas Biological Survey, where he enjoyed academic discussions with students and colleagues, attending seminars and other events at the university, for over 20 years.
Stan received numerous awards and accolades for his teaching at the national, statewide, and local level, as well as awards in recognition of his recycling and environmental conservation efforts. He was inducted into the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame (2011) and Olathe Public Schools Wall of Honor (2022), and was named Kansas Conservation Champion in 2016 (Kansas Natural Resources Conference).
In 1962, Stan recruited Janet Beckner to join the LHS biology faculty. They were an excellent teaching team with complementary approaches to encourage learning, and their blossoming relationship developed into their marriage one year later. Together they led 33 annual student field trips to Florida and Hawaii to give midwestern youth first-hand experience in marine biology, and spent 9 summers teaching at Florida State University in a NSF program for high school students.
Stan spearheaded the recycling movement in Lawrence by starting a paper drive, which helped make trips affordable for students. He also organized field trips for adult groups–including state science teachers and Kansas Academy of Science members–and provided numerous workshops and programs on various natural history subjects, particularly snakes, bats, and special places in Kansas, to youth groups such as the Boy Scouts, sportsman clubs, community service clubs, and industrial employee groups. Some of his recent community involvement included the First Presbyterian Church Board of Elders, Outside for a Better Inside Board of Directors, Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park Board of Trustees, Douglas County Retired School Personnel, and the Endacott Society.
In addition to his parents, Stan was preceded in death by his brother, Harry Roth, and his oldest son, Larry Roth. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Janet Beckner Roth, son Jim Roth (Jane Waterman), daughter Debby Ziegler (Brad), grandchildren Tim and Alex Roth, Jack, Carson, Maggie, and Adam Ziegler, and brother John Roth (Connie).
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Lawrence Schools Foundation for the Stan Roth Science Scholarship (https://lawrenceschoolsfoundation.org/donate/) or to the KU Endowment for the Stan and Janet Roth Nature Trail (https://kuendowment.org/home/who-we-are-overview/donor-commitment/). Contributions can also be sent to Warren McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th St, Lawrence, KS, 66044.
Oh, no. I am so sad to hear this! I was hoping to see Stan when I returned to Lawrence in October for my class reunion. Stan was a huge influence in my life; I participated in many field trips, and my college entrance essay was about one of those ferruginous hawk adventures. I majored in biology in college, too.
I would visit Stan and Janet on every trip to Lawrence, and he was a favorite of my husband’s, too. We will miss him.
I’m very sorry to hear this. What an amazing life Stan lived, and what a great influence he had on so many of us.
Stan, the man, was one of my favorite teachers. After many years of teaching Biology, he still kept the information fresh. I remember that he took students spelunking and other field trips. One major project he involved his students with was collecting seeds and identifying them. His hands on approach taught us so much. I often would see both Janet and Stan at church. He affectionately called me Cin Cin. He will be terribly missed.
Even though I was not good at biology I was focused on Art. I joined the biology club it was nice that I did not have some requirement that I was good in biology. I went on many field trips. Most memorable were the caves. Sleeping with bats over my head going through a cave where I got kind of scared low ceilings and such. Also camping / exploring the land in the rain in the ozarks. One memorable trip we went to Castle rock. We set our tents up to the east of the bluff we were looking for fossils. Big storm came up very suddenly he ordered us to run to the cars a couple travelalls. It went by quick a couple of tents got blown clean away fantastic journeys all of them. Most of all he did not judge me because I was not in his biology class I was not good at biology but I had enthusiasm as he did! What a great person.
Stan was a great teacher and a wonderful human being. I will miss him
Jan and family,
Sean and I were so sorry to hear of Stan’s passing. We will miss seeing him at informal suppers.
Janine and Sean Monaghan
Dr. Roth was one of my heroes and a fantastic teacher and person. RIP.
My older brother, Steve Pendleton, had Mr. Roth for Biology at Lawrence High School. He got to go on adventurous trips, such as spelunking, I think. I was just thinking of Stan and Janet Roth the other day. May he rest in peace.
I was terrible in biology being dyslexic and undiagnosed. I couldn’t do all those words, but I knew he was a good teacher. Then he turned the bullfrogs on me. I wasn’t so sure after that, but he certainly was a good teacher. I hope His memory brings great joy to his family. May he rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss.
Stan was and always will be a favorite teacher of mine, even though Biology was not my calling! He always had a great smile and an entertaining sense of humor! He was still presenting local scholarships at the Lawrence High Schools until this Spring. What a mark he has left for students and the Lawrence and natural world. Love to the Roth family!
I’m so sorry for your loss ♥️
So very sad to learn of Stan’s passing. He was a very special person and was always glad to greet and visit with past teaching peers. He will be missed!
So sad to hear about Stan’s death. My parents forced me to take his class at LHS because they said he was the best teacher there. Against my will, I learned so much and had amazing experiences that I carried throughout my life. He was an amazing human and teacher. I will hold him in my heart forever. All my love to Jan, Debby and Jim.
I had Mr.Roth as my Sophomore year in high school Biology teacher. I was not the best in Biology but he always kept us engaged. Rest in peace. My condolences to your family.
Mr. Roth was my favorite teacher and he has touched so many of his students’ lives beyond the classroom. Condolences to his family, the world is better place because of Stan Roth.
Mr. Roth gave us a solid science education in high school which prepared me for Nursing school and a 30+ year Nursing career. Condolences to the family-we all lost a great person!
So sad! Mr. Roth was one of my favorite teachers. Prayers sent your way
So sorry to hear of Mr Roth’s passing. He was one of the Great Teachers in my life. I was a science & biology geek in high school, and was an aid for him in my junior year at LHS. I kept all of the classroom snakes, mice (to feed the snakes), and Pete the prairie dog over the summer of 1980 during the break. I was so distraught when Pete died over the summer in my care, I contacted Mr Roth and he told me nonchalantly that Pete was old and he was not surprised, and that it was just his time to go and nothing I did made it happen. That was the down-to-earth demeanor that I always saw in him, and it comforted me. Mr Roth was a great teacher. I remember him blasting the fire extinguisher in class when some student was sleeping, which the rest of us all found amusing and terrifying! I also remember construction happening outside of the classroom one week, and Mr Roth informed us that there was no other classroom for us to take for that week, so he would be conducting all classroom lectures that week with the assistance of a bullhorn, which he did! My memories of Mr Roth are all gold. I was lucky to have him as a teacher. RIP Mr. Roth!
My sincere condolences to Janet and family. Mr. Roth had a huge impact on my life. He pushed us to work hard, question everything, and learn deeply. He let us try new things and expected the best. He will be missed.
I’ve dedicated my professional life to preservation of our natural heritage. Mr. Roth played a large part of inspiring that pathway. I am thankful that I had him as a teacher. I hope the family finds some comfort in the students he inspired.
Mr. Roth was one of my two or three favorite teachers in high school. He was upbeat and able to communicate his enthusiasm for the natural world. I vividly remember the seed collecting assignment. My initial thought was that it was crazy to look for seeds in the winter. But I learned a lot from that process – including the disfunction of having preconceptions based on ignorance – and I recognized the value of learning that even as an unformed high school sophomore in 1961-62.
I am one of those lucky people inspired to have a career in science thanks to Stan. He was an amazing teacher, he set high standards, and the life lessons he taught were irreplaceable in my life. My condolences to Jan and his entire family. He was a special person and his oversized impact will live on.
So sad for your loss. As a French AFS student at LHS, I was just so lucky to have him as my biology teacher and to be able to join one of the trips to Hawaii. Definitely one of the best memories of my stay in Lawrence. I can see how much impact he had on many of his students: amazing, inspiring and very special. We all learnt so much from him. A great teacher and a great person. My sincere condoleances to Janet and the family.
Mr Roth set me on a life course in biology and life exploration – I am and remain very indebted to his influence and passion.
LHS 1980
KU BA Biochemistry, BS Cellular Bio 1985
Still learning
I did my student teaching for a semester with Stan Roth in 1971. His classroom was a zoo and after class he would open the half door on the room and let several of the animals out of their cages. Many days I went home with torn pantyhose because of the “friendly” animals!!! One day he handed me a mother bull snake that had given birth to dozens of babies and was starting to eat its offspring. I had to keep a smile on my face while holding the snake in front of 30 students! I preferred microscopes and petri dishes! I will never forget Stan Roth!
Such a kind man who raised some wonderful children and had such a positive impact on so many people . Love that picture of him.
Stan Roth had a profound influence on my life. I was privileged to be one of his students and serve as one of his student assistants at Lawrence High School, and to care for his snakes during summers at Camp Naish. His example and mentorship led me to pursue a degree in Biology Education at Emporia State and to teach high school and middle school biology for 25 years.
When I was a teenager, Stan saw in me what I could not yet see in myself. I am grateful for his encouragement and friendship. I pray that God would comfort his family and friends as they grieve his loss, cherish his memory, and delight in the natural world he taught us to love.
I first met Mr. Roth, a patient of my dad’s in 6th grade. We needed flatworms for my 6th grade science fair and my dad knew of someone who had a source (some Artesian well in the Flint Hills). Who would have known that such an encounter would ultimately change my life in High School and beyond.
As a freshman in high school, I enrolled in an English journalism course and after the first day knew this was not for me. My parents suggested asking Mr. Roth if he could help me out. First, Mr. Roth on the surface was not a warm and fuzzy guy, especially to a freshman in high school. Long story short, I became his Teaching Assistant for 4 years and help maintain his menagerie of animals. I also got a chance to travel the state of Kansas on various biological surveys, including studying bat migration in the caves within the Gyp Hills (part of the Red Hills) of Kansas, studying barn owls, Ferruginous hawks, Golden Eagles, and collecting species of previously unreported reptiles and amphibians in county throughout Kansas. I specifically remember one night collecting frogs on a highway at night in the rain while Mr. Roth sat in the vehicle shining the headlights so I could capture the frog jumping around on the asphalt.
During my senior year, I was a member of Mr. Roth’s advanced biology class and one of the perks of being in this group was the annual field trip. I don’t know any educator who could plan and execute a class field trip to Hawaii! It is a memory that I cherish to this day. He and his partner of 61 years taught me and countless other students so much about biology, but especially how to survey and record scientific observation, it clearly was the beginning of my career path.
I had the great privilege of being asked by Mrs. Roth to provide Mr. Roth’s induction into the Wall of Honor for the Olathe Schools in 2022. It was truly an honor for me to be able bestowing the virtues of Mr. Roth to those in attendance, including his wife and their daughter Debbie. Of course, when given the stage, Mr. Roth’s provided an unforgettable acceptance speech which greatly exceeded the allotted time. Mrs. Roth finally had to pull him away from the mike when he began discussing procreation. He was simply one of a kind.
I have been extremely fortunate during my career to have learned from “giants” in their respective fields of science, including two Nobel prize laureates. Next to my father, Mr. Roth was one of the most influential mentors early in my life. Thank you.
I do not think that I can adequately express my admiration for and my gratitude to Stan Roth and his family.
He was certainly an excellent and engaging teacher. Not only was he passionate about the subject, he was invested in the students. He not only wanted us to learn about biology, but he wanted us to learn to think critically. He was one of several amazing teachers at LHS that truly impacted the students in memorable ways. I will always be grateful for having the experience to be a student in his class.
More importantly, I was blessed to know him and his family. Beyond being a great teacher, he was a man of integrity that truly cared about others. And Janet is an amazing woman that is the epitome of kindness and consideration. They were a fun pair to watch as they interacted with others, as well as each other. Their children are a great reflection of Stan and Janet as examples of character, kindness, and dedication. Knowing the kind of people that Jim and Debbie are speaks more about who Stan and Janet are than I could begin to delineate. I am so grateful that they put up with me and allowed me to experience their kindness and influence.
May God bless the Roth family and comfort them.
Dear Janet,
How blessed and fortunate I was to have gotten to see you and Stan (it feels funny to call him “Stan” as he was always “Mr. Roth” to me) only a few days ago!! I guess the old saying of “live each day as though it’s your last and tell those you care about how much you care about them” is true – isn’t it?!!
I am so sorry for your loss and hope you know you have so many friends and former students of both yours and his thinking of you and sending caring thoughts your way. What an amazing, inspiring teacher he was and what a wonderful team you made!! I still don’t know how he was so lucky to have married you!!!
Sending warm thoughts of peace and caring to you and your family.
Love, Susie
Such a glorious and beautiful life to celebrate.He definitely left his mark! Condolences to Janet and family.
I can’t imagine there being a better biology teacher. He could explain things that would have otherwise went right over my head. In remember times with some of the guys going snake hunting, we would catch poisonous snakes, copperheads, rattle snakes, cottonmouthes, for him which he would milk the venom, and donate it to K.U. for anti-venom. Great teacher.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Sending deepest condolences to you, Jan, and family. Stan was a champion for science education in Lawrence and the state of Kansas. I was fortunate to have Jan as my biology teacher at LHS and her skill and leadership also led me to teach middle school science in Colorado! A legacy has been left by both Stan and Jan Roth at LHS!
My sincere sympathies to Janet and family at the loss of Stan, our gifted and always welcoming, Mr. Roth. While not personally strong in science myself, I enjoyed and looked forward to his biology class
I remember the class Stan taught on the facts of life—the birds and the bees—when he said this is how it works though there is in Christianity the belief of the virgin birth of Mary giving birth to Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. This he said as he glanced at me, a Catholic and a future priest.
I will offer a Mass for the intention of Stan, Janet, and the family. May he rest in peace!
Bob Flannery, ‘65
There is little time that goes by that I don’t think of one of the life’s lessons that Stan shared or scared into me – his standards were high, but it was the way he looked at the world that stays with me: how to organize and present your ideas, stick to your convictions, believe in yourself….
And the bat that always returned to the classroom when freed, only it didn’t. It was the unconventional moments that I shall continue to treasure.
And he definitely married well – Jan, my heart goes out to you and your family. He will be missed.
Janet….The world lost a dedicated scientist and educator and you lost your soul mate. I was pleased our paths crossed enough over the years that I felt his passion for life. Please know you’re in my prayers and hopefully we’ll see each other in the next months.
Jan, Jim and I were so sorry to hear of Stan’s passing. The memories being shared by his students is a strong testament to his life’s work as a teacher. Shelley
I got this sad news today.
I cannot say how much Stan Roth meant to me – as a teacher, mentor and field trip leader. I treasure the many memories of him, of his excellent teaching, of his deep knowledge of biology, especially Kansas flora and fauna, of his enthusiasm for teaching and field biology, and of his sometime stern corrections.
He was the most influential teacher of my life – 1963-1965. I went on many of his weekend field trips, participated in his annual mammal census, and was a biology teacher’s assistant one year. He arranged a summer internship at a medical research lab and KU Medical Center. He even had us catching ‘possums that were given to KUMC for research – which led to many evening adventures.
My friends have heard many stories about “Mr Roth” from me.
He is missed.
Dee and I were some of the lucky ones to have known Stan for many years. For the 40+ years that he brought students to the Merrill Ranch that we managed for the yearly – or twice yearly bat surveys, we enjoyed time we got to spend with him. We also had the opportunity to interact with you and Stan in other situations during those years. We learned much from him about the bats, caves, “herps”, birds, wildflowers, largest trees, and more – and he always warned is there would be a “test” after each teaching period!!! Stan introduced us to other “naturalists” in the state who we came to know well. I’ll always remember when he pulled a porcupine down out of a tree one night with his hands so the group could get a closer look at it. (He did wear a glove on one hand.) We collected dead skunks and saved them in our freezer until we next saw him so he could use them for research!
Jan, we know you will miss him. We are sorry we will not be able to attend his memorial service as we will be in North Carolina with Dee’s brother and his family.
Dear Jan and Family …
I am deeply sorry for your loss of Stan. I remember sitting by Stan at one of our KUCRL events, and he was such a pleasant and interesting man. It sounds like he was very accomplished and well loved. Hoping that brings you some measure of comfort.
Sue Woodruff
Muskegon MI
Dear Janet, Jim, Debbie and family-
Sincerest condolences for your loss. Mr. Roth was a larger than life presence during my high school years and an early influence on my decision to pursue a career in science. He made biology an adventure and his enthusiasm was infectious! I have so many fond memories of the field trips, paper truck, working as a teaching assistant and grading lab reports for him. He was an amazing teacher and human being; his memory and legacy will live on in all of us who have had the good fortune to know him.
Roger and I are very sorry to learn of Stan’s death. Stan and Roger were classmates and earned the Eagle Scout designation the same year. I was a classmate of Stan’s first wife, Ginger Green. We did a lots of things together. He will be missed.
Barbara Messer Alberty, Lake Oswego Oregon.
Debby, Brad, and Grandchildren,
Our heart goes out to your family. Stan was a legend at LHS and the community. My children thoroughly enjoyed having him for a teacher. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I loved Mr. Roth- he was brilliant and expected earnest effort. I will never forget my trip seeking out Ferugenous Hawks. I was terrified of snakes- still hate them but he made me touch a bull snake to try and alleviate my fears. Every time I see a hawk I think of that trip!! Such a good man. I still have the journal he asked us to keep. May God’s graces strengthen you all in this time.
Sorry to hear of Stan’s passing my condolences to the family. He made a significant impact on my life
A life very well-lived, and a good influence on so many. Rest in peace, Amigo. And to the family, Peace and Good Memories.
George Pisani
Lawrence
I first met Stan as a Sophomore at LHS when I became his Junior Merchant paper carrier to his apartment on 25th St in 1962. Ten years later, as a newly minted LHS teacher, we became reacquainted– with him as an unofficial mentor. Most impressive was his knowledge about nearly everything. I’m sure the Habitat area still misses him. He was one of a kind. There are no more.
Mr. Stan Roth also was given the award of Best Teacher around 1968 or 1969. I think that was at the state level. We all pushed the vote through for our devoted teacher. Stan Roth did SO much for all of us. It is delightful to say that I had him as a teacher, as did my twin, Kathy. I belonged to the Biology Club, but Kathy took any class and club he would offer. She went to “Bat Cave” and the Florida trip. Our family always loved critters. We took summer care of Goofy, the gopher turtle. THAT was an honor. We both got to know the critters in the classroom. I remember a prairie dog. Then there were the snakes. Mr. Roth helped us to use our experiences for our futures. I was the “Snake Lady” of Turkey Creek Girl Scout camp in 1974. Kathy followed her passion at Emporia University along with others inspired by Stan Roth.
Thank you for all of your devoted work.
Cindy Schott Hutchison
Belton, MO [formerly Lawrence, KS].
How do I thank and pay homage to someone who was pivotal in shaping and changing my life. Stan taught me so much. Biology yes, but mostly a belief in myself as someone who could make some kind of impact. He taught me facts but taught me to question also. He treated me as an adult before I grew into one. He recognized my humanity, strengths and serious weaknesses, challenging the former and smiling knowingly at the latter. I grieve this loss and thank the family for sharing him with so many of us.
My condolences to Janet and family. Thank you Mr Roth for your ruthless pursuit and sharing of knowledge for the greater good and your courage in never giving up. What an example you set! You were one of a kind.
Nice job, Stan !
As a teacher and person he positively influenced many lives in many ways.
LHS – 70
Condolences to the Family.
Words can not express the positive influence Mr. Roth has had and continues to have on my life. A great man, teacher, mentor, roll model, and friend. He will be sorely missed and his legacy will endure through the generations he has helped shape.
My heart goes out to the Roth family.
❤️
I discovered I loved science, and biological sciences in particular, in Mr. Roth’s 10th grade biology class (class of 1987). Though I am certain I was not a memorable student 🙂 — that amazing introduction to biology really has been a huge influence in my life in developing a lifestyle of learning and curiosity which I have passed on to my children, some of whom have gone into science and medicine. My condolences to his family in this huge loss.
Remember 1963 my senior year when it was Jan’s first year as full time teacher at Lawrence High and it was announced they were engaged.
I have known both of many years and share in different organizations with both of them and have enjoyed them in different ways.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jan and her kids as they adjust to life without Stan. Jan has been a total angel the last few years taking care of Stan with all his major health issues.
Rest in Peace Stan
Had him for biology, I remember the seed project, which I will occasionally reference, it was a cold Saturday morning and he was smoking a pipe and was taking these long strides and would grab a plant pull of a part of it, look at show the class explain what it was and the dichotomy, drop it to the ground, while we all ran to pick it up, label it and dump it into a baggie, priceless.
Finally, I was in his class the day he supposedly had his daughter Debbie’s placenta in one of the jars and brought it out stating he had waited 18 years to bring it out, she was not amused.
Dear Jan‼️my heart breaks knowing that special man will not be around to inspire‼️my brother, Dr Mark Bernhardt, and I were to the adventure & love of Science by Mr Roth‼️I know you cringe with the memory of the 1963 Adv Biology fiend trip to the Bat caves in Missouri…. when 5 students adventured into a caved in Tunnel and were lost for 5 hrs…..errrrma….Mary Bodine,Ronda Horner, Fambrough and me ( Judy Bernhardt Kish)….. sooo sorry for that incident… left me slightly closterphobic⭐️
Another memory taking a studen bus filled with giddy herpitologist( someday) to milk Rattle snakes… don’t believe I stepped out onto one slice of the Flint Hills…
Me, my husband, and our daughter all benefited from Stan’s tutelage, love of all things of the earth, his friendship, and his corny sense of humor! He was one of the most influential people of my life. He was an incredible man who will be missed by so many. How sad that future generations will be deprived of his huge presence in their lives. Jan, Debbie, Jim, and families, we are so sorry for your loss. RIP Stan.
I had Mr Roth in 10th grade biology in 1986-87 and I still talk about him and that class. He made a huge impact on me- just a kid who wasn’t really into science, until I met him. His lessons live on, through all of us, and the earth is a better place because of him.
Stan (looking over his shoulder) “I don’t expect you to know the Krebs cycle on the test.” Of course it was on the test.
Life lessons…
May your hearts’ Memory Pockets wrap around you and help you find your peace as he has found his… Amen.
Stan was the teacher that created the most memories from high school. Traveling to Hawaii to study nature, pushing us to present papers at the state competition and participating in the crazy paper drive. Jan and family—-I wish you the best during this time of transition.
I agree with what other former students have said it’s hard to say “Stan” because he will always be Mr. Roth in my memories. Mr. Roth was probably the best teacher I had as a student. He was tough but fair, disciplined but fun, demanding of us and himself, and above all dedicated to our betterment as we pursued our ultimate lot in life. His legacy will live on!
Jan and family, Lee Ann and I extend our deepest sympathies. I knew this was inevitable but still have an aching hurt he’s gone. Stan made me strive to be a better scientist but also offered extensive knowledge for me to inspect and respect. Our times together mostly in the Red Hills will always be cherished. Love you and will see you sometime soon. Ken and Lee Ann
Mr. Roth was the finest teacher I ever had and that’s saying something given that I was fortunate to have had many excellent teachers while at LHS in the late 80s/early 90s. It’s clear that Mr. Roth had a huge impact on the lives of countless people. My condolences to Mrs. Roth and family.
Jan and family: Stan will be sorely missed, but will live on in the hearts and minds of so many.
Jan and Family: Stan was such a wonderful teacher and motivator. He was a tremendous influence on my life in high school and opened my eyes to opportunities in the natural sciences. I took biology classes and oceanography class. I was also so lucky to go on a Hawaii field trip! I will always remember him and be grateful. I went on to have a medical career and continue to have passion for the flora and fauna of nature. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Unfortunately when we come into this world there will be an end. In the case of Mr. Roth his earthly time has expired however he will live on through his teachings. Mr. Roth was an awesome teacher, the best of the best. He was a mentor and friend and opened many doors for me through his teachings. He not only taught biology but instilled how to achieve above the ordinary. I as well as many others will keep his legend alive by what we learned from him. It’s hard to believe how many Mr. Roth stories have been past on to my kids and grand kids. Thank you Stan. God bless him, Jan and the family. Class of 68
One of the best teachers of my life. Challenging, passionate, inquiring, iconoclastic. I feel lucky to have had the chance to spend most a day with him a few years ago while visiting Lawrence, half a century after taking his class.
I was deeply saddened by the passing of Stan Roth. He was one of a very few teachers from high school that my son loved and respected. When I heard he was going to be in Stan’s class, I suggested he try to get that changed but that wasn’t in his game plan and he loved Stan’s class. My Stan story is not related to high school or biology BUT that on my son’s wedding day, Stan and his wife showed up in Gt. Bend, KS for his wedding. That was very special to us!!!
I am another of his army of former students who count him as one of the greatest influences on my decisions to pursue biology, and ultimately, medicine. I returned to Lawrence sporadically over the years, but I always tried to pay a visit to him and Jan. As some others have mentioned here, his influence was not solely biology and science, but he had a way of imparting important lessons about life, maturity, and acceptable behavior that very few other teachers even bothered to attempt, and these lessons definitely stuck with me. Every student of his profited from that, even those who chose to butt heads with him (and good luck with THAT) learned lessons that they may not have liked, but influenced them in some way. The world is a better place for his having been in it, and the incredible influence he had on countless students is impossible to measure.
My deepest condolences to Jan, their kids, and extended family. Stan was the embodiment of the multi-generational effect a teacher can have on his or her students. I have always had fond memories of my year in Advanced Biology and the many firsts I experienced in his class and field trips. A few of those firsts:
The first time I had to memorize my social security number, the first time I ate asparagus (the methyl mercaptan lab), the first time I dissected fresh road kill opossum (his gut length lab), the journals I had to keep (and continue to do so) on trips, my first time trying SCUBA (which eventually led to being an avid diver for 15 years), the first time I was in a bat cave counting bats, my first time trying to catch prairie dogs, my first time eating hush puppies, my first time touching a sea cucumber and realizing Stan was right – they really do forcefully eject their insides to escape predators, and it worked – I dropped it.
I last saw Stan in 1991 when I returned to Lawrence for the 20th reunion. I told him I had become a geologist and was working in gold mines in Nevada. His response was “Oh, ‘applied science’.” He was an incredibly special person who will be remembered long past his lifetime. We all are better because we knew him.
So sorry to hear this. Mr. Roth was one of my favorite teachers ever. If you wanted to learn biology Mr. Roth was the teacher for you. R.I.P. old friend. You will be missed by many but never forgotten…
Ever since I attended Stan’s Advanced Biology class in the 71-72 school year I have been a big fan of his. I was lucky enough to attend one of his Florida trips that we took in the spring of 1972. He had a way of making scientific investigative work interesting and fun. It was fun to be around Stan to sponge up his knowledge, from his Christmas bird counts, going caving in SW Kansas and many more adventures!
Stan was “one of a kind”. He was a consummate teacher- both in his classroom and with the educational trips he organized so students could grasp the greater truths of science in the real world, beyond the textbook. This excellence and dedication to what he taught meant that he worked many hours before and after school- including the weekends- Stan Roth was exceptional. I taught with him for many years at Lawrence High School. I too spent many weekends at school organizing, planning, or monitoring students who came to work. I knew- “Stan was there too” because he would stop to say hello as he headed out to the parking lot.
He had very high expectations for his students and himself. I will always admire him. Pat Nemchock