John A. Roth III

OBITUARY

It is with great sadness and deep sorrow that Lynne Roth announces the passing of her soulmate John “Jack” A. Roth, III of Wescosville, Pa., loving and devoted husband of 44 years; proud father to Brian (Catherine) and Matt (Maggie); and adoring “Poppy” to Anna, Laura and Katie. Jack left this world quietly at home on June 4, 2026, with Lynne by his side.

His death at 76 is a testament to the resilience, strength and mental toughness that were the hallmarks of his long and fulfilling life. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 26, doctors gave him just five years to live. What some might have viewed as a “death sentence,” Jack saw as a challenge. It was “game on” for the fight of his life — and what a life he lived.

For Lehigh Valley football fans, his name is synonymous with gridiron greatness. He served as co-captain of Parkland High School’s 1966 undefeated football team, was named the 1967 Athlete of the Year and in 2016, was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

In his senior year alone, Jack scored a total of 56 points in football, was the leading scorer in basketball and pitched a no hitter in baseball, garnering eight letters, and cementing his legacy as one of Parkland’s sports elites.

The accolades continued in 1993, when he was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Football Hall of Fame, in the company of local football legends Matt Millen, Mike Guman and John Spagnola.

Following graduation, Jack enrolled in Bordentown Military Institute, in preparation for West Point Military Academy. Upon entering the USMA in 1969, Jack’s athleticism, leadership, attitude, and determination made an immediate and long-lasting impact on West Point’s football program, earning him the admiration and respect of both his teammates and coaches.

In 1971, Jack captained an Army team that had won just one game the previous season. Under his command, the Cadets rallied to a 6-4 record that culminated with a 24-23 victory over Navy.

A three-year varsity letterman, Jack was named to the Associated Press All East team as a defensive end. He was also the recipient of the William C. Whitehead Jr. Award, for being the highest-ranking football letterman in the General Order of Merit.

After graduation, he returned to West Point for a three-year assignment, serving as the junior varsity head coach (posting a 15-3 record), before transitioning to varsity assistant coach.

In 1980 following his departure from Army’s coaching staff, Jack embarked on a successful 30-year career in human resources management, beginning at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., and retiring in 2012 from Cabot Supermetals, where he guided the company through an extensive organizational restructuring effort, proving his skill as a labor negotiator and spokesperson.

For many years, Jack served as the Emcee of the annual Lehigh Valley Scholar-Athlete Banquet. The event gave him great satisfaction to address students who, like himself, had excelled both academically and in their chosen sport. However, the occasion also served as a showcase for Jack’s talents as a skilled storyteller and master of a good punchline.

Born on January 19, 1950, to John A. Roth, Jr. and Doris M. (Herbert) Roth, Jack was the oldest of six children, including five sisters. In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Jack is survived by his sisters Sue Roth; Betsy (Jim) Frank; Jane (Michael) Bedell; Sally Derr; Patricia Ratchford; brother-in-law Russ (Donna) Leibensperger; sister-in-law Anne Leibensperger; niece/goddaughter, Amanda (Joe) DeMarco and their baby Julian; nephew/godson, Adam (Cory) Leibensperger; nieces Kristin (Rob) Yost and Stacey (Eric) Kucharik; and eight other great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his brothers-in-law Bruce Derr and Dennis Rice.

Jack will be remembered as a fighter, whose success as an athlete served as a metaphor for how he lived his life: with grit and courage, determination, inner strength, integrity and humility.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, July 12, at Heintzelman – Stephens Funeral Home, P. C., 274 N. Krocks Rd., Allentown, Pa., at 11 a.m., preceded by a visitation at 10 a.m. (www.heintzelmanstephens.com)

To honor Jack’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Center for Healthy Veterans, in support of its “tiny houses,” a residential village that exists to fill a need that has been unmet for many decades to support and empower veterans to transition to society. To help Lynne and family build a tiny home in Jack’s memory, please visit: secure.qgiv.com/for/nationalcenterforhealthyveterans/ under “please direct my support” selecting the drop-down box and scrolling to “Tiny Home in Memory of Jack Roth USMA ’72.”