Bryan Roth: 1962-2022
A husband, father, a grandfather too; this is the legacy we have from you.
Bryan Roth, 59, of Estelline, S.D., passed away Sept. 5, 2022 at his home surrounded by family after courageously battling cancer for 10-plus years. A funeral service was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 9 at Christ Lutheran Church in Salem, S.D.
Bryan was born in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Dec. 11, 1962 to Kenneth and June Roth. He grew up on a farm near Freeman, S.D., attending Freeman Public School. He enjoyed track and football while attending school, graduating in 1981. Bryan furthered his education and graduated from Mitchell Technical Institute in 1985 with a degree in electronics and communications.
He met and married Pam Handel while attending Mitchell Tech. They were married on Oct. 29, 1983. They moved to Iowa in 1985 for the beginning of Bryan’s career in the telephone industry. Bryan returned to South Dakota in 1998 to be closer to home and to become the GM/CEO of McCook Cooperative Telephone Company. Throughout his career with TrioTel (formerly McCook Cooperative Telephone Company), he accomplished so many great works to lead the company into the future. Bryan served on the SDN Board from 1998 to 2022, becoming president from 2001 to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, he served as GM/CEO to both TrioTel and ITC. During the course of his career, he has also served on the boards of SDTA, LECA, FRRPA and as President of ATV. On Aug. 31 of 2022, Bryan was inducted into the South Dakota Cooperative Hall of Fame. Bryan also assisted with economic development within the communities TrioTel served.
Bryan and Pam have three children: Kendra, Bryce and Nicole. To say the love of his life was his family is an understatement. He cherished every minute he could spend with them by coaching any and all sports he was able to. If he was not coaching, he was on the sidelines watching (but also coaching😊). Bryan and Pam enjoyed their time fishing at the river trying to catch the proud anglers but releasing them back to the water so the next person could enjoy the catch. Summertime also meant golfing. Once fall weather hit, he was running his dog and cleaning his gun for pheasant season. Bryan cherished the time he was able to spend with Bryce on an antelope hunt out west. Bryan was an outdoorsman and cherished his time with friends and family while enjoying what he loved the most – hunting and fishing.
Bryan and Pam were able to build their retirement home early on Lake Poinsett and enjoy the remainder of his years there watching the beautiful sunsets on the water. Bryan enjoyed family and friends coming to visit so he could be the grilling master. To help with the boredom of the winter months, Bryan became a fan of the Pierre Governors, watching Nicole coach the junior varsity. He was elated when we received a phone call from Kendra this spring that they were moving the family back to South Dakota. This gave Bryan more precious time to cherish his grandchildren, Halle and Ava, spending days outside watching them play and swim.
While a person’s work life may tend to define them, Bryan was also committed to his faith as a member of Christ Lutheran, serving on the council of the church. During the past months, he enjoyed watching church (live streamed) from home.
In the words of his kids:
“We know that God welcomes you at the gates with a fishing reel to enjoy your time looking over us. You may have caught your proud Angler down here, but God knew you were his.”
Bryan is remembered with love by his wife, Pam Roth; children, Kendra (Brandon) VanBlaricome of Colton, S.D., Bryce Roth of Sioux Falls, S.D., Nicole Roth of Colton, S.D.; two grandchildren, Halle, and Ava; parents, Kenneth and June Roth of Freeman; siblings Craig (Heidi) Roth of Freeman and Sue (Mike) Oolman of Spirit Lake, Iowa; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many treasured friends.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established to provide assistance to students in the telecommunications field.
