Obituary: George Roth, 92, Ludington.

George Roth

Obituary: George Roth, 92, Ludington.

George W. Roth, 92, of Ludington, passed away at his home on Friday, December 21, 2018. George was born February 22, 1926, in Detroit, to Louis and Clara (Schade) Roth.

George developed a passion for aviation and sailing at an early age. His love of both brought him from building sailboats out of cardboard painted with tar he collected from roads, to jumping off railway boxcars with self-made wings. Thanks to snowdrifts, he was able to tell the tale. Naturally he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program with the United States Air Force right out of school. There he quickly rose to the level of flight instructor. George was honorably discharged in October 1945, after World War II ended. Following his time in the Service, George was employed as a flight instructor at, what is now called, the Pellston Regional Airport. This is where he met the love of his life “Lynn”. George and Marilyn Lutz were married in Atlanta, Mich. on September 27,1947. Together they had six children; two boys and four girls. They spent 54 years together before Lynn passed away on October 2, 2001.

In 1950, George started flying propeller-driven airliners for Capital Airlines out of Detroit. He then advanced to turboprop aircraft when Capital Airlines merged with United Airlines in 1961. In 1969, United moved its headquarters to Chicago. Instead of moving from Farmington to Chicago, George’s love of sailing brought him to the Lake Michigan harbor of Pentwater. There he settled his family on the Big Bayou on Pentwater Lake. George’s airline career spanned almost 32 years, retiring as a United Airline captain in 1981. His love of flying continued, volunteering many years with the Young Eagles Program at the Mason County Airport. At the age of 87 he sold his last airplane and let his pilot license expire.

George was the owner and operator of Lakeside Boat Sales and Sail Point in Pentwater. He was a past member of Pentwater Yacht Club, and current member of the Ludington Yacht Club, Ludington Boat Club, and the American Legion Post 76.

George is survived by his children, Russell (Pam) Roth of Naples Fla., Susan (Bill) Bainton of Pentwater, Laurie (Dan) Williamson of Paw Paw, Debra (Jeff) Kinnaird of Ludington, Steven Roth of Port Charlotte Fla., and Donna (Randy) Knudsen of Ludington; grandchildren, Marlene (Robert) Mitchell, James (Ashley) Daggett, John Williamson, Ashley Williamson, Derek (Amber) Kowatch, Shawn Kowatch, Kristen (Joel) Luna, Jacob Kinnaird, Erin (Eric) Jensen, Ryan Knudsen, Ellen Knudsen, Kevin (Kelly) Knudsen and 21 great-grandchildren.  

George was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Marilyn “Lynn” Roth; sisters Dorothy (Jarvis), Elenora Roth, and grandson Michael Bainton.

There are no services planned at this time.

Please share your fond memories and photos of George at www.OakGroveLudington.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington.