Stem Cell Agency Pays Tribute to the Late Duane Roth

The governing board of the California stem cell agency today paid tribute to the late Duane Roth, co- vice chairman of the agency, who died recently as the result of a bicycle accident.

With members of Roth's family present, CIRM Chairman J.T. Thomas characterized Roth, 63, as a "voice of reason" on the 29-member board. The video included testimonials from both staff and board members.

He was described as a "kind person" who could find "common ground" on difficult issues. Roth was deeply involved in San Diego affairs that went well beyond the stem cell agency. More than 1,000 persons attended memorial services for Roth earlier this month in San Diego.

CIRM President Alan Trounson said following the video that he will "miss (Roth) terribly" and expressed  "hope that his memory will lighten and brighten the day for all of us."

Jeanne Loring, a stem cell researcher at Scripps, said Roth "inspired us to do more than we thought we could do." She said he was an unusual kind of businessman who respected science.  "I wish I could thank him one more time," she said.

Duane Roth: Ecumenical Innovator for San Diego and Biotech

The Xconomy news service today carried a sterling look at the contributions that Duane Roth, co-vice chairman of the California stem cell agency, made before his untimely death as the result of a bicycle accident.

Reporter Bruce Bigelow pulled together a host of comments concerning Roth's involvement in the San Diego community, ranging from biotech to action sports companies. The headline on the piece read, “The Connector Who Wired up a Regional Innovation Economy.”

At the time of his death at the age of 63, Roth was CEO of Connect, a nonprofit organization that supported technology and innovation and one that he was credited with reviving. Bigelow also wrote,

“Once California voters approved a 2004 ballot proposition that authorized the issuance of $3 billion in grants for stem cell R&D, (Mary) Walshok (associate vice chancellor for public programs at UC San Diego) said Roth also played a key role in bringing together UCSD, Scripps, Salk, and Sanford-Burnham to create the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine. In fact, Walshok doubts whether anyone but Duane Roth could have brought the four major research centers together.”

Another speaker at the memorial services Friday attended by about 1,000 persons was Bill Walton, the former UCLA and NBA great, who grew up in San Diego.

Bigelow wrote,

“Walton, the NBA Hall of Famer who has led San Diego Sports Innovators as a division of Connect since 2010, said Roth became a business mentor to him. In his comments Friday afternoon, Walton said Roth inspired him to be a better person, and he counted Roth among the people who had the biggest influence on his life—a list that included his own father, UCLA coach John Wooden, sportscaster Chick Hearn, author David Halberstam, and Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead.”

Bigelow described Roth as an ecumenical and pragmatic advocate for innovation who could work with persons who did not always agree with him on all issues. He was a conservative and active Republican, but his co-vice chair at at the stem cell agency, Art Torres, former chairman of the state Democratic Party, on more than one occasion has lauded Roth's ability to work together.

Bigelow wrote about similar remarks Friday by Don Rosenberg, an executive vice president and general counsel at Qualcomm.

“'Duane and I were as different as two people can be,' Rosenberg said during his eulogy at the Church of the Immaculata. 'Duane was born in Iowa, baptized in the Mennonite church, a Republican. And me, raised in Brooklyn, Jewish, a Democrat. We quickly learned we had more in common. We were kindred spirits. We liked the same things: Bikes, biking, cars, and people.'”

Stem Cell Agency's Duane Roth Eulogized at Memorial Services

An estimated 1,000 persons attended services last week for Duane Roth, co-vice chairman of the California stem cell agency, who died at the age of 63 following a bicycle accident.

The San Diego U-T reported,

“A Who’s Who of San Diego’s technology, business and civic community gathered Friday to bid farewell to Duane Roth. The biotech entrepreneur, community leader and director of Connect died last weekend of injuries sustained in a cycling accident.

“Among attendees were Gayle and former Gov. Pete Wilson, who had just celebrated his upcoming 80th birthday with former colleagues and friends in Sacramento, county Supervisor Ron Roberts, former Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, Chamber head Jerry Sanders, Preuss School benefactors Peggy and Peter Preuss, SDG&E CEO Jessie Knight, and many biotech and high-tech leaders. These included Irwin Jacobs, Ted Waitt and Denny Sanford.”

Memorial Services Friday for Duane Roth, Co-vice chairman of the California Stem Cell Agency

A memorial service for Duane Roth, co-vice chairman of the California stem cell agency, will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Immaculata Church at the University of San Diego.

Roth died Saturday from injuries suffered in an accident last month while bicycling in the mountains east of San Diego. He was 63.

San Diego has seen an outpouring of tributes in the wake of Roth's death for his contributions to the community in the life sciences, philanthropic and technology areas. He had served on the stem cell agency board since 2006 and had been scheduled to become of chairman of the Sanford-Burnham Institute this fall. He was CEO of Connect, a non-profit organization aimed at support entrepreneurship in the technology field.

Ted Roth, Duane's brother, remembered him in a piece in the San Diego U-T as the oldest of five sons growing up in Wayland, Iowa. Ted Roth wrote that their parents relied on Duane "to set an example for his brothers, and he was the one they called upon in their later years. He was a lifelong mentor and friend to his brothers, someone that was always there to share in life’s experiences." 

Ted also wrote about his brother's involvement in technology and business.

 "Duane was captivated by the possibilities that innovation provides in improving the world in which we live." 

The family has suggested that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Otterson Fund at Connect, Challenged Athletes Foundation or the Copley-Price Family YMCA.

Here are links to some of the other recent articles on Roth: San Diego U-T (see here and here), La Jolla Patch, La Jolla Light.

CIRM's Roth Dies Following Bike Accident

Duane Roth, co-vice chairman of the California stem cell agency, died yesterday from brain injuries suffered in a bicycle accident two weeks ago.

Duane Roth, Connect photo

Roth, CEO of Connect, a San Diego organization aimed at fostering technology entrepreneurship, succumbed yesterday afternoon at the UC San Diego Medical Center, the San Diego U-T reported. He was 63.

An avid bicyclist, Roth was injured while biking in the mountains east of San Diego July 21. Roth hit an outcropping and his helmet was broken in the accident.

Roth was a long-time member of the 29-person governing board of the $3 billion California stem cell agency and was a strong advocate for industry. He chaired the agency's loan task force, was vice chair of the Intellectual Property and Industry Engagement Subcommittee and a member of the executive committee.

J.T. Thomas, chairman of the stem cell agency, released the following statement this morning.

“On behalf of all the CIRM family, we mourn the loss of our colleague and dear friend Duane Roth.  Throughout his tenure with us, he was one of the true stewards of the mission, offering countless insights on the role of industry in the world of regenerative medicine and how best and efficiently to drive therapies through to patients.  He was unfailingly a voice of reason and optimism and always sought to find ways to make things happen, refusing to take 'no' for an answer.  Though one of 29 Board members, his extensive participation as co-Vice Chair of the Board, co-chair of Intellectual Property and Industry Engagement Subcommittee and a member of our Executive Committee gave Duane a singularly important and resonant voice in our organization.  His passing will be deeply felt by all of us as well as by the many patients and other CIRM stakeholders whom he touched over the years.  We send our deepest sympathies to Renee, Duane's brothers and the rest of the Roth family.”

Roth recently was involved in raising funds for cancer, and reporter Bradley Fikes wrote in the San Diego U-T,

“Contributions in Roth’s name can be made to Pedal the Cause, a fund-raiser for cancer research that Roth supported. More than $10,000 has been raised since Roth's accident."

CIRM's Roth Remains Hospitalized

Duane Roth, a co-vice chairman of the $3 billion California stem cell agency, is displaying no apparent brain damage following a bicycle accident 11 days ago in the mountains east of San Diego.

Bruce Bigelow of Xconomy reported this morning,

“MRI diagnostic imaging showed no apparent brain damage, but he remains sedated, according to his brother, Ted Roth. While doctors see nothing that would prevent Duane Roth from a good recovery, told me by phone yesterday his caregivers are moving slowly to give him time to heal.”

Roth is also CEO of Connect in San Diego, a technology industry assistance organization.

California Stem Cell Official Duane Roth in Improving Condition

Duane Roth, the co-vice chairman of the California stem cell agency, is improving after he was hospitalized for treatment of a serious brain injury sustained in a bicycle accident Sunday in the mountains east of San Diego.

According to a report on Xconomy.com, Roth's brother, Ted, said yesterday, 

“Were certainly moving in the right direction. We're now looking at the recovery phase.”

The article by Bruce Bigelow said Roth has passed through the most critical period following surgery at the UC San Diego hospital.

Roth, the 63-year-old CEO of the San Diego technology organization, Connect, is in serious condition in a medically induced coma.

The governing board of the California stem cell agency yesterday took special note of Roth at its meeting and sent its best wishes to him and his family.  

Co-vice Chairman of California Stem Cell Agency Remains in Critical Condition

Duane Roth, the co-vice chairman of the California stem cell agency, remains in critical condition with brain injuries following a weekend bicycle accident.

According to a report by Bradley Fikes in the San Diego U-T, Roth's family is preparing for a recovery that will take weeks. Roth is currently in a medically induced coma.

Roth's wife, Renee, released a statement through the UC San Diego Medical Center that said,

“His condition is currently listed as critical. Duane is in the great hands of the university’s doctors and nurses and we are very happy with the outstanding care he is receiving. We do ask that our privacy be respected as Duane heals. We will be in touch to share more.”

The accident occurred Sunday in the mountains east of San Diego when Roth hit a rocky embankment or outcropping and his helmet split open on the impact.

Roth is CEO of Connect, a technology business group. He has served on the stem cell agency board since 2006.

(An earlier version of this item incorrectly described Roth as CEO of Current instead of Connect.)

Co-vice Chairman of California Stem Cell Agency Hospitalized with Brain Injury

Duane Roth
Connect Photo

Duane Roth, co-vice chairman of the $3 billion California stem cell agency, has been hospitalized in a medically induced coma following a bicycle accident yesterday in the mountains east of San Diego.

Roth hit a rock embankment and broke his helmet, according to news reports. He was flown to the UC San Diego Medical Center, where he underwent surgery to remove a piece of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain, according to an account by Bruce Bigelow on Xconomy.

Bradley Fikes of the San Diego U-T reported that Roth is expected to kept in a coma for at least several days until his condition improves. 

J.T. Thomas, chairman of the stem cell agency, said in a statement,

“Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes for a full recovery are with Duane and his family.”

Roth, CEO of Connect, an organization that supports the technology industry, has served on the governing board of the $3 billion California stem cell agency since 2006. He has been a strong voice for business at the agency and likely would have been active participant in board discussion this Thursday of one of the agency's major initiatives that will benefit business – a $70 million stem cell clinic plan.