Former Hillyard Companies leader enshrined in St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Hillyard Companies have been a staple of the St. Joseph community for more than a century, and one of its former leaders has been enshrined in the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame.

"Bob (Roth) was willing to do anything to support and help the City of St. Joe," said Tom Smith, former MoWest men's basketball Hall of Fame coach.

Bob Roth gave a lot to the game of basketball throughout his life. The Central High School and Missouri Western State University graduate served as the first Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame president in 1986.

"Bob Roth is one of my great friends, as he was friends to many people," said Norm Stewart, Hall of Fame Mizzou basketball coach.

As president and chairman of Hillyard Companies, Roth aligned the company with basketball at the highest levels, including partnerships with the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Naismith Hall of Fame.

"He was so giving," Stewart said. "If you asked him for a favor, he didn't say 'when, why, or what.' He said, 'OK.'"

Roth passed away earlier this month at the age of 78, but his impact on his community will be remembered for years to come.

"That's what made him just so special," Smith said. "He never really had to be in the limelight of 'I'm doing this or I'm doing that, I'm giving this, and we're going to support this.' Hillyard has sponsored so many things in this city."

Roth was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.