Kevin Timothy Roe

Kevin Timothy Roe, beloved husband, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2025, at University Hospital of Cleveland 11 days after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 63 years old.

He was born on April 10, 1962, in Pittsburg, California, and grew up in Palo Alto, California. Kevin was the son of the late R. Richard and Geraldine L. (McCormick) Roe. A passionate advocate for public health and education, Kevin earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from San Francisco State University, followed by a Master’s Degree in Public Health from San Jose State University.

Kevin dedicated his early career to serving his community through his work as the founding Community Organizer of Magnet, a groundbreaking San Francisco gay men's neighborhood health center. For over a decade, he worked as a collaborating process evaluator for San Francisco’s HIV Prevention Community Planning process. In 2009, he brought that same dedication to the classroom, becoming a professor of public health at San Jose State University. Teaching brought Kevin great joy, and his impact on students and colleagues alike was profound. In later years, he transitioned into administrative roles, continuing his service to the university and public health community. Among his many recognitions, Kevin was an early recipient of the Society for Public Health Education’s Vivían Drenckhahn Scholarship, named the San Francisco State University Health Education Department Alumni of the Year, and recipient of the 2023 San Jose State University Outstanding Lecturer Award.

In 2003, Kevin met the love of his life, Dale Gluth. Their first date was in Yosemite National Park, and they enjoyed exploring most Western State and National Parks. The two were married in 2016 and later moved to Dale’s hometown of Port Clinton, Ohio, on Memorial Day weekend of 2021. There, Kevin quickly became an active member of the community. He volunteered at Bistro 163 and served on the board of the Wylie Walleye Foundation.

Kevin found joy in life’s simple pleasures—gardening, long walks, camping, and spending time with his cats, Cheeseburger and Buster. He loved sharing meals with friends at the Brick House, enjoying Thai and German food, and consuming the entire Dune book series.

Kevin is survived by his devoted husband, Dale Gluth; his sisters, Kathleen (Jerry Smith) Roe, Colleen Roe (Kevin Hall) Simmie, and Dilan (Susie Hoskins) Roe; his nieces and nephews, Kevin Cameron Smith (Colleen Williams), Morgan McCormick Simmie, Mackenzie Roe Simmie, Macgregor John Newby Simmie, and Great-niece Alexandra Love Smith; extended family; and his cherished feline companions. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Per Kevin’s wishes, services will be private. Memorials are being planned in Ohio and California later this year.

Kevin will be remembered for his generosity and warm spirit. His family is developing a scholarship to fulfill one of Kevin’s long-standing commitments to the next generation of LGBTQ+ students. He will be deeply missed.