MOUNTAIN
COMPASSION
MOVERS
Stories that shine a spotlight on YOU and YOUR support of Christian Appalachian Project’s mission.
R
ichard Roth is an energetic gentleman with a warm laugh and a kind heart. One of the first things I recognized about him during one of our few opportunities to visit was that he takes every opportunity to honor two special women who helped shape him. Richard’s mom was the stabilizing force in his dysfunctional family during his childhood. He describes his dad as a hard worker with an ability to sell anything” but also had his issues. Richard’s mother led him to the Lord. When Richard speaks of his wife, Bobby Louise, he does so in glowing terms. She passed away six years ago, but it is obvious that the love has never died. “She taught a neighborhood Bible study and led many neighborhood children to the Lord. She was a wonderful mother who was extremely protective of her two sons, Ricky Jr. and John. Bobby put her education on hold until the boys were finished and then completed her high school degree.” The boys have been successful, both professionally and personally. Ricky Jr. teaches at a local college, and John is in higher education administration. They have provided four grandchildren who are followers of Christ and all pursuing college degrees. Richard has always valued education; he attended Arizona State after finishing six years in the Air Force; he worked at night and took classes during the day. “I always had a hunger to study engineering.” His career in engineering began in San Diego at Convair before joining Motorola in support engineering. He describes himself as “not a very good engineer” so he got into the marketing side of engineering.” In 1970, he and his partner, Gene, started a company that he says “only God could have made successful.” It was called Engineer Systems Inc. (ESI). The equipment they provided allowed companies like Shell and Exxon to get paid quicker from oil tanker transactions. They owned the facility 38
and employed as many as 150 people. They sold out to a company in Chicago, and Richard stayed on to help. He eventually bought back a portion of the company and is now working a few hours each day. CAP is one of the numerous charities that Richard supports. He provides both his financial resources and his time. His relationships in Phoenix and the surrounding communities provides him opportunities to pass out Bibles with Gideons where others might not have access. Sharing God’s word is something that will undoubtedly drive Richard for as long as he lives. When asked why he supports CAP as well as other charities, Richard gives a beautiful response: “I am a Christian and I have more than others. I don’t expect anything in return from my giving. If I give a thousand, another bald-headed guy comes along and gives $5000, it takes a lot of people. If lots of people don’t give a little there won’t be a mission. I do the things I think God would have me do.” n --Larry Pelfrey
W
hen Nancy Horn Barker, Pharm. D., was asked if she would be interested in serving on the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) board of directors in 2012, she jumped at the chance to be a part of an organization that provides so many meaningful services to the people of Appalachia. Nancy grew up in Inez, KY and is a 2002 graduate of the Univ. of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. She is the director of the Bluegrass Pharmacist Association Executive Council. She also serves as the director of the Kentucky Retail Federation Board, the director of the Kentucky Retail Federation Insurance Agency Board, and a volunteer for The Nile Ministries. The more Nancy learned about all the incredible programs and services CAP provides to its participants, she began to want to give and support their mission. Nancy shares, “CAP allows me to give back to the area I grew up in and continue to work in. I am a giver by nature and nothing blesses me more than to give to such a worthy organization.” As someone who was born and raised in Eastern Kentucky and continues to work in the area, Nancy is so proud to be a part of an organization that does so much for her neighbors.
THE MOUNTAIN SPIRIT | 50th Anniversary Commemorative Issue Volume 2
