Leonard Roy Roath

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of L. Roy Roath on August 20, 2025, suddenly at his home in Ft. Collins, Colorado. He was born in Cody, Wyoming, to Ernest and Grace Lucille (Thayer) Roath on November 4, 1949. According to his wishes he will be buried in Luther, Montana, a place of strong and fond memories where he lived and attended school at a formative period of his life. He was a devoted spouse and leaves behind his cherished wife, Nancy, and a combined family of two children, Dan Roath and Erin Grantham; three step-children, Shawna Sands, Chris Doron, and Amy Arnold; many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren; along with siblings H. Lee Roath, Sherrill Busche, and Carolyn Ginnaty.

A dedicated range steward and educator whose career spanned five decades, he spent it pioneering and disseminating land-use grazing management techniques throughout Colorado and across the West, as well as in South America and Australia, that enhanced ecosystems to this day. He worked with the Colorado Integrated Resource Management program from its inception in the mid 80s until he retired. A lifetime member of the Society for Range Management, he was recently awarded its highest honor, The Frederic G. Renner award, in recognition of his years of service to the art of Range Management and the education of many professionals employed in that field today. He will be remembered and missed by his graduate students who continue his legacy, and by the numerous livestock producers and land management agency people – present and retired – that he worked with throughout his career.

Roy had a passion for fishing, hunting, and woodworking. He was also an avid Colorado State University sports fan, holding season tickets to both football and basketball for decades. His family will miss his stories, his laughter, and his willingness to share time with his grandchildren pursuing those pastimes.

A Funeral Service will be held 1pm, Monday, August 25, 2025 at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Interment will be held at Tony Cemetery in Luther, Montana.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: the Leonard Roy Roath Memorial Range Science Chair/fund #94551 using this link. http://www.msuaf.org/roath or by mailing donations to MSU Alumni Foundation, PO Box 172750, Bozeman, MT 59717; or the Wyoming wild Sheep Association, https://www.wyomingwildsheep.org/product/donations/