Friends, it is with both with sorrow and resurrection joy that we share the news that Rev. Robert Koth passed away the morning of January 18. As many of you know, Robert was a servant-leader in our conference during his "retirement" (he was more active than many of us are!) in his tireless advocacy of the differently-abled, those on the margins of society, and radical inclusivity and hospitality for all. His ministries gave birth to the WISE movement in our Conference within which he continued to be an outspoken leader. Fortunately, we honored his ministry during our Special Edition Annual Meeting in October. He will be greatly missed!
Gracious God of love and justice, we are grateful for the life lived among us by Robert Koth. We thank you for all he was by nature and grace, and particularly that he was passionate minister and prophet to anyone who was forced to the margins of society by dominant culture...youth, homeless and those economically challenged, Native peoples, and those challenged by disabilities. We pray for comfort for his family and friends that feel his loss heavily on their hearts. And, with one voice joined with yours, O God, we say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Amen.
Robert’s memorial service will be held via Zoom on February 27 at 11 am. The Zoom link is in the February 8 Loop. If you cannot locate it, please contact Wende Gonzales.
Robert’s obituary is below.
COVID took the life of
Reverend Robert Duane Koth
Born in Slayton, Mn on August 6, 1936 and died in Phoenix, AZ on January 17th, 2021.
First born to Eva May Koth (Newberry) and Clayton Gustave Koth
His three siblings:
· Rev. Eugene Koth married to Ann Koth (Clawson) children John and Kent
· Gwen Mead (Koth) married to Rev. David Mead children Rodney and Mark
· Joan Markley (Koth) married to Gordon Markley child Jill
Robert Koth graduated from Westmar College in Le Mars, IA and attended Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville, IL
He was also a certified Tool and Die maker as well as a certified Teacher in IL and AZ.
He married Joyce Anne Roepke and had 2 daughters:
· Deni Lyn Nordmeyer (Koth) married to Richard Lee Nordmeyer and built a family through marriage, birth, and adoption of 7 children Justin, Jacy, Cara, Jesse, Devin, Garret, Mariah
· Becky Rene Carroll (Koth) married to John Carroll and built a family with a child Leana Carroll.
Later Robert divorced, but continued his devotion to his children and grandchildren.
Next, he married Terry Davis with her 3 children Adam, Joshua, and Leah blending a family of 5 children on weekends. Unfortunately, this marriage ended in divorce.
He enjoyed many years with his last wife Rev. Mary Harris. Unfortunately, this marriage ended in divorce.
Robert D. Koth did his best to live by his favorite scripture:
Micah 6:8 NIV
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Robert D. Koth studied the life of Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Mother Theresa and did his best to model his life on their teachings. He cycled through several careers evolving as a person each time he revisited a career. His first love was to be a Reverend. He saw life as a ministry whether he was in a clergy collar or a t-shirt. He would often work as a teacher to youth with limited opportunities. Also, Robert worked to support worker’s rights in having a livable wage with safe working conditions. He joined groups in their struggle for racial equality to include Black, Hispanic, and Native populations. Other times Robert would support people without a house and created employment organizations. For the last ten years, Robert has been working with the differently-abled population advocating for all people to be valued and included fully in the church, community, and society. After an illness, Robert became differently-abled himself. He learned to accept his new life and continue his work for the inclusion of people with different abilities. After resigning from Widening the Welcome in The Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ. He continued to work with churches to become certified in WISE (the church learns to be Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged for people with a mental health issue). The last organization he joined was The Network of Spiritual Progressives focusing on family justice issues.
Robert D. Koth would often say, we plant seeds and water them,
but only God can make them grow.
Robert D. Koth did much planting and watering during his faithful life.