Board Member Spotlight - Bernie Roth

“Meet a Mensch”

Bernard Roth has proudly served on the Federation Housing board for over 30 years and is one of many long-standing board members serving much of his years on our Building Maintenance/Facilities Committee. “Bernie” as he is known among his friends and colleagues has worn many volunteer hats throughout his life serving in various board leadership capacities including Golden Slipper, Uptown Home, Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC), Har Zion Temple, Akiba Hebrew Academy, Jewish National Fund among others.

Bernie, an electrical engineer, was a graduate of the Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University), and proudly served his country, as an officer in Korea. Bernie married his sweetheart and best friend, Tema, in 1953 and together they had two children, Karen and Harry. Bernie took over the family business on the death of his father in 1962, and successfully operated The Barney Roth Company, one of the most well-known and widely respected lighting companies in the region. Bernie decided to close his business and announced his retirement in 2013 so he could spend more time with his growing family.

Bernie is known as a “gentlemen’s gentlemen” by those who have had the pleasure of crossing his path. Bernie is always quick to share a joke, reminisce about days gone by and most importantly to share a proud moment or accomplishment of one of his family.

Federation Housing’s Officers & Directors, staff and residents agency wide wish to acknowledge Mr. Roth for his many years of commitment, dedication and continued support of Federation Housing’s mission of creating caring communities for independent seniors.

Bernie remains active with our board and is thrilled to have had his daughter Karen Cohen join the ranks of Federation Housing as a second generation member!