Don RothDonald J "Don" Roth, 87, passed away at home in Ellensburg, WA on October 23, 2014. Don was born on August 9, 1927 in Minneapolis, MN to Hugo and Alma (Becker) Roth. He entered college at age 16, earned his B.A. at age 19, and graduated sixth in his class with his Master of Divinity at age 22. His fellow students included Martin Marty and Jaroslav Pelikan. Don was also an expert linguist, mastering Latin, German, Classical and Koine Greek, Biblical Hebrew, and Spanish. Don met a spunky girl named Dot Bright in his church choir in St. Louis, MO. Their first date was November 17, 1945, and they were married on June 4, 1950, the day after Don graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Upon graduation, Don was offered a professorship at a Lutheran college in Minnesota, but elected instead to serve as a parish minister in Oklahoma. He and Dot, both city dwellers, received a thorough baptism into farm life, canning copious amounts of vegetables from their huge garden. They even learned to kill and pluck their own chickens! They moved to Fredericktown, MO in 1953 and then to Portland, OR in 1958, where they lived until 1992. After retirement, they became full-time snowbirds for 13 years, exploring the US in their RV, finally settling in Ellensburg to be near family. Due to Don's poor health, his son Tim (a nurse) and wife Maureen cared for him in their home for the last 3 years of his life.A devoted family man, Don was very active along with Dot in raising not only their four children, but also 17 foster children and 12 Volunteers of America daycare children. Don's inexhaustible energy was equaled only by his unwavering devotion to serving others and putting their needs before his own. He will also be remembered for his immense store of knowledge and his quick, keen wit.Don is survived by his wife Dot of Yakima, his children Tim (Maureen) Roth, Ruthi Roth Erdman, and Ben (Karen) Roth, all of Ellensburg, and Suzy (Harry) Buerer of Portland, his four grandchildren: Dan Roth and Tiffany Erdman Beardsley of Ellensburg, Liz Roth of Selah, and Jonny Erdman of Olympia, his great-grandson Baxter Beardsley, and his brother Phil (Kathleen) of Houston, TX.At Don's request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to CARE or the .