
Donald Lawrence (Don) Roth, July 2, 2025
Born in New York, October 1930, Don grew up in Brooklyn, then moved to St. Louis with his family. Don passed away July 2, 2025 at 94 years old, in St. Louis.
Donald was a fanatic when it came to the St. Louis Rams but his allegiance remained with the Brooklyn Dodgers – including their move to L.A. Talk about a diehard fan!
Donald attended the University of Missouri, Columbia (MIZZOU), graduating with. B.A. in Journalism. He was a member of Phi Sigma Delta fraternity, making lifelong friends that he kept in touch with over the years.
He had such interesting, funny, outlandish stories about frat life, sharing some of those stories whenever he got the chance.
Upon graduation, he was a reporter for the Kansas City Star newspaper, and a magazine called Cavalier. In 1954 he covered an all out prison riot at the State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, MO. Somehow, he made his way in to the prison and interviewed an inmate about the rioting, which began over deplorable living conditions. He was the only reporter inside, during the uprising which was a pretty bold move on his part, since he was only 24.
Donald also wrote for the Associated Press.
He was the President of Donald Roth & Associates, a Public Relations firm.
He worked for Ben Fixman at Diversified Industries, writing the prospectus of the company and eventually wrote and published a non-fiction book about Ben’s life as told to Don by Ben, himself. The book is called “The Ben Fixman Story: From the Ghetto to the Gold.”
Don worked as a public relations writer for Ray Barrett and Biomedical Systems.
Don served as a medic in the U.S. Coast Guard, remaining stateside throughout his service.
He loved politics, reading, and was a history buff. Pastimes included playing the horses, shooting craps, doing the NY TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLES, playing poker & handball.
He is the son of the late Irving and Gertrude Roth, the brother of the late Natalie Wallerstein and brother in law to the late Harvey Wallerstein. He was a wonderful Uncle to Stacey (Elliott) Melad. Don was a nephew, cousin and friend to many.
May his memory be a blessing, to all.
Contributions to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry of St. Louis.