Visitation
Thursday, January 7, 2010
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Refreshments will be served.
Service
Friday, January 8, 2010
11:00 AM EST
The Cathedral at Family Valley Church
2600 Vincent Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49024
(269) 324-5599
Contributions
At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.
Roth Children's Education
National City - 3900 West Centre Avenue
Portage, MI 49024
Please make check payable to: Bradley E. Roth Memorial Fund
(account #9566816441)
Flowers
Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.
Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site
Life Story / Obituary
There are times in life when there are no answers to tragedies that seem to rip us to our core - times when there are only questions that echo within the depths of our soul. Yet it is at these very times that there is faith in the plans of an ever-loving God. Bradley Roth was a man in the prime of his life whose days were full of promise for the future with the family he treasured before his flame was suddenly extinguished. Brad was man of faith whose Lord and Savior has now called him to shine his light among the heavenly realms.
During a year in which the Watergate scandal topped headlines and a ceasefire was signed bringing American ground troops in Vietnam back home, it was a time in American history unlike any other. This was an unforgettable year in the family of Douglas and Karen (Knechtel) Roth as they were pleased to announce the birth of their son, Bradley Eric, on March 26th. Bradley, who was most often called Brad, was born in Southfield, Michigan, and joined brother Scott in his family who was three-and-a-half years older. Brad was raised in Royal Oak until he was two when their family moved to Dryden in Lapeer County. The Roth family remained in Dryden where they lived in a rural area on 14 acres of land where the young boys had room to roam. In fact, the boys did everything together and often stayed outside from sunup to sundown. They caught frogs and turtles in their pond, played football and baseball with their father, and even spent more relaxed times fishing in the pond. The winter months found Brad and Scott sledding down their hill or playing hockey on the pond they cleared of snow. Like brothers so often are, the Roth boys were a bit competitive with each other as well.
Although small in stature, Brad got very interested in bodybuilding during his younger years. He took his interest very seriously, reading all the bodybuilding magazines and maintaining a strict diet conducive to his sport. Brad’s dedication paid off too as he won numerous competitions that he entered. Even though he was very focused on his sport, Brad also was a good student. He attended local schools including Dryden High School where he was popular – so much so that he was elected homecoming king. Brad was part of the golf team and was an excellent pitcher on the school baseball team as well.
After graduating from high school, Brad attended Michigan State University for two years before transferring to the University of Michigan where he earned his Master of Physical Therapy Degree. Throughout his years as a student, Brad worked at Advanced Physical Therapy in Grand Blanc. It was while he was fulfilling his last clinical in 1998 that Brad met the woman with whom he would share the rest of his life. Her name was Julie Nuyen, and she was a technician who caught Brad’s eye. A dating relationship quickly ensued. They became engaged in 1999, and he moved to Kalamazoo where he took a position with Borgess Medical Center. Brad and Julie married on September 16, 2000, at the First Congregational Church in Kalamazoo.
After enjoying a memorable honeymoon in Hawaii, the newlyweds settled into a home on Homecrest Circle where they soon welcomed the birth of their son, Christian, in 2001. After two-and-a-half years in their home, they moved to a beautiful home in Mattawan on one acre of land as having a big yard like he had as a boy was important to Brad. It was while living in their home in Mattawan that they welcomed their daughter Meghan in 2005. Brad continued working at Borgess Hospital where he became the manager of outpatient physical therapy. He loved his staff and always kept the mood light, often sharing laughter with them. Brad was flexible with his staff and truly loved orthopedics. Like he so often did, Brad immersed himself into learning all he could about orthopedics by taking several continuing education classes. Brad was a manager who worked on the floor and additionally continued to treat patients.
Although work certainly was important to Brad, it paled in comparison to his family. He was a true family man who loved watching action movies or golfing with his wife. Brad was greatly involved with his children too as he wrestled, golfed, and played football with his son. He even coached Christian’s baseball team. Meghan enjoyed coloring with her father and seemed to mimic many of Brad’s mannerisms. Brad loved planning vacations for his family and even researched all of the activities and restaurants. The Roth family simply enjoyed spending time together, often just playing games on the floor.
Brad was a man of many interests throughout his life. He enjoyed cooking, reading and contemporary music, especially from Third Day. On more than one occassion, Brad was able to attend the Master’s Golf Tournament where he satiated his passion for golf. It was easy to see, however, that Brad’s greatest love was for his Lord and his church family at Valley Family Church. He was active in many communities within the church family.
Bradley Roth was a man of integrity who was loyal, generous, and always available to help others. Those who knew Bradley Roth will still see glimpses of him - perhaps whenever they hear a song by Third Day or maybe in the ice blue eyes of his daughter. In fact, he will remain in the hearts of all those who held him dear until they are reunited one day in heaven.
Bradley Eric Roth died on Sunday, January 3, 2010. Brad’s family includes his wife, Julie Roth; his children: Christian and Meghan; his parents, Douglas and Karen Roth; brother, Scott (Patricia) Roth and their 3 children: Carson, Madison and Taryn; father and mother-in-law, Greg and Patty Nuyen; and sister-in-law, Wendy (Gary) Gebben and their children. Celebrate Brad’s life with his family and friends on Thursday, January 7th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes – Kalamazoo, MI. Services will be held Friday, January 8th, 11:00 a.m. at The Cathedral at Valley Family Church, 2600 Vincent Drive, followed by a reception in the church hall. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory or photo, or make a memorial donation directed to his children’s education fund C/O National City, 3900 West Centre, Portage, MI 49024.