Ryan Roth-Ielmorini, Petaluma native, dies in stabbing at 33

If Ryan Roth-Ielmorini did anything, he did it full speed.

Whether it was working as a plumbing contractor, riding a Harley-Davidson or a dirt bike, wake-boarding, snow-boarding or playing with his two sons, he threw himself into it completely, said an older brother, Eric Gibbs of Petaluma.

Roth, a Petaluma native, was killed Feb. 23 at his rental home in Auburn. He was 33.

Authorities arrested a friend, also a former Petaluma resident, in connection with the stabbing, which occurred at a small get-together at Roth and his roommate's residence in the gated community of Lake of the Pines.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary, 850 Keokuk St. in Petaluma. Afterward, there will be a celebration of his life at the Elks Lodge.

The youngest of six brothers and sisters, Roth grew up without a father and looked to his older brothers for guidance.

"For better or worse," said Gibbs, laughing. "We all worked real hard and taught him a good work ethic. He was one of the hardest workers I know."

Roth was charismatic and outgoing, his brother said, making new friends wherever he went.

"You'd know he was in the room," Gibbs said. "If we went to a restaurant, by the time we left, we'd know half the people in the room and everybody would be laughing."

Along with the fun, Roth worked hard. When he dropped out of high school, another brother made him work for his plumbing company, showing him how to climb his way up the ladder in the trades.

Soon after, Roth started his own company, West Coast Plumbing. He focused on commercial jobs, including hotels in Napa.

When his first son, Chase, was born eight years ago, Roth had his boy's name tattooed on his body. Two years later, he memorialized his other son, Rafe, the same way. That started a habit of colorful tattoos that covered his arms, Gibbs said.

"He was just full throttle. Whatever he did, he was all in," he said. "Nothing was ever half speed."

Roth turned to growing medical marijuana, legally and successfully, his brother said. But Roth didn't use his product, didn't do hard drugs and wasn't known to drink to excess.

Authorities were looking into what prompted the fatal stabbing. Witnesses told police the suspect began waving a knife and Roth was wounded when he tried to intervene.

Gibbs said his brother loved children, including those not his own.

"Kids really gravitated to him. He had a nickname for every kid. You wouldn't think that with all the tattoos," he said. "He could look hard. But inside, he had the biggest heart you could imagine."

In addition to Gibbs, Roth is survived by his wife, Heather Roth of Cotati; mother, Geraldine Ielmorini of Auburn; sisters, Brenda Azevedo of Penngrove and Heidi Roth of Auburn; and brothers, Rex Gibbs of Petaluma and Scott Gibbs of Sebastopol.

Donations are requested to a trust fund for Chase and Rafe Roth at Chase Bank.

- Lori A. Carter