David Howard Roth, 87
David Howard Roth, 87, of Enaville, Idaho, one of North Idaho’s true outdoorsman, beloved husband, father, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away Jan. 7, 2023, at Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. David was born July 20, 1935, in Twin Lakes, Idaho, a son of the late Frank and Berna (Bradbury) Roth.
As a third-generation North Idaho logger, David started at an early age working in the woods. After graduating from Rathdrum High School, David moved to Montana, where he met and married Francis Randall in 1953. The couple had five children, Steve, Curt, twins Kathy and Kristi, and Mark. David returned to Idaho in 1967 to fight fires and joined his brothers in Roth Brothers Logging. David carried on the Roth tradition of honesty, generosity and hard work. He instilled these traditions in his family.
David loved the outdoors and if not working a long day in the woods, he could be found hunting, fishing, especially fishing trips to Montana, or picking berries. This passion led David to using alternative forms of logging, such as with a horse or a helicopter. David was the first to log with helicopters in Idaho and spent part of his working life developing this nature-friendly form of logging as Bitterroot Helicopter Service. It wasn’t without risk, as David survived three helicopter crashes and one engine failure. David developed a tree farm at Enaville, where he grew Christmas trees, other trees and seedlings for the mine cleanup projects in the Silver Valley. He created a nature-friendly space there with ponds for the wildlife.
David always loved an adventure and was always open to something new. This led to many activities like volunteering for search and rescue, transporting helicopters around the country, producing the logs used for the columns of the Cataldo Mission in Idaho and flying in a TV show featuring Andy Griffith.
David was loved for his spirit of adventure, his wit, and his sense of humor. He was hard working and will be remembered as being very generous and willing to help someone in need.
In addition to his parents, David is preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his loving wife of 69 years, Frances Roth, of Enaville; his five children, Steve (Nora) Roth of Oracle, Ariz.; Curt Roth (Mary Jane Davis) of Post Falls, Idaho; Kathy (Ron “Buff”) Mercado of Kellogg, Idaho; Kristi Beamis (Stan Shapiro) of Pinehurst, Idaho; and Mark Roth of Stevensville, Mont.; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
At his request, cremation will take place and a celebration of his life will be held this summer at the river he loved.
Memories of David and messages of condolence may be expressed to his family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Roth family with arrangements.
