Tower-Winter-2018

20 TOWER | WINTER 2018 BACK TO CLASS WITH … DR. CHARLES F. ROTH, JR. ’68 BY NIKKI MURRY ’98 If you think of your retirement years as a time for “taking it easy,” you certainly don’t view it the way Dr. Charles F. Roth, Jr. does. Roth, a 1968 Kutztown State College graduate and, from 1989 to 2011, a communications and technology professor in the Kutztown University College of Education, seems to find it hard to sit still. He believes in living life to its fullest – and even more so – living on the edge, you might say. Though traveling is his vice, it’s not the kind of sightseeing adventures you or I might consider. Roth, rather, is a well-versed hobby photographer and storm chaser extraordinaire. His ideal vacation? Traversing the often difficult to access Sun Road in Montana, part of Glacier National Park with weather so extreme it can usually only be accessed in July and August of each year. He’s racked up more than 3,200 miles between California and Arizona in the course of a single week via trips booked with semi-professional and professional storm chasers, all in the name of capturing that perfect lightning shot. “When the hair on your arms stands straight up, you know you’re pretty close,” admits the self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, explaining the hobby is certainly not for everyone, including those weak of body or heart. ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE It all started in 1969 when Roth served with the Air Force and while on loan to the Army, spent time in Vietnam. He recalls upon his arrival, “The first thing I did was buy a camera.” His storm chasing stems from his love of photographing nature and natural phenomena. An ideal trip would include time spent capturing the colors of the southwestern United States, or maybe the landscapes of Montana or Utah. There are only two states in the nation he hasn’t seen: North and South Dakota. Roth doesn’t try to sell his images for publication or recognition; instead he shares his captures with friends, family and those with whom he strikes up a conversation. That usually results in an interested party asking for – and receiving – a digital file of an image that might strike his or her fancy. No charge. What they choose to do with it is entirely up to them, but Roth notes you could see some of his photos adorning the walls of doctor’s offices and the like. Though he travels as much as possible, a trip with a professional storm chaser could take a year of planning as only a handful of individuals are able to sign up. Sometimes those running the tour want to see prior images to assure the person booking the tour knows what he or she is doing and is aware of the dangerous nature of the experience. No doubt about it, it’s risky. Asserts Roth, “There are people [professionals] who do not survive. Storms are unpredictable.” Participation involves signing a lot of waivers and it’s not uncommon to be told, somewhat jokingly, “We’ll try to bring you back alive.” The goal is to get the person with the camera into a position for a dynamic shot, be it while chasing a tornado – which Roth has accomplished – or traversing a slot canyon (narrow gorge) in Arizona. When it comes down to it, it’s a hobby Roth has learned from self-study and practice over many years’ time. And it all harkens back to the retired professor’s love and appreciation for education. STUDENT FOR LIFE The Northampton resident, born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, knew he wanted to be a college professor when he attended Kutztown State College. And he knew he wanted to attend Kutztown because it had a great reputation and was convenient. As a student, he relished his college days, remembering “The faculty was always accessible. My peers were nice people with values, and many are my friends to this day.” The experience was mirrored as a KU professor. Memories of his students are among his favorites. “They were motivated and interested,” says Roth. “They wanted to learn and get as much out of KU as they could.” And the KU connection continues through the generations. Roth’s two sons, Byron and Jarrett, also have KU degrees. Daughter Kimberly is a Shippensburg University grad. With seven grandchildren, ranging in age from four to 13 years waiting in the wings, who knows, the KU connection may continue for generations to come. Photo by Dr. Charles Roth ’68