09/24/2026
Today at RoosRoast, we are celebrating and remembering the life of Clara Betty Roos (1938 - 2026), aka John’s mom. Betty was legendary, a one of a kind human, and there would be no John Roos or RoosRoast without her (even if she did not, as she was fond of telling people, convince John to start RoosRoast).
Betty’s 88 years held plenty of hardship, humor, strong opinions, and a long list of things she liked just the way she liked them: Taster’s Choice, Diet Vernors, riding her powder-blue trike around Ann Arbor’s west side, extolling the virtues of Bengay, and sharing a meal (bike-delivered cheesy p burritos were a favorite). She shared rambling stories and laughs with just about anyone who crossed her path.
She was practical, sensible, stubborn, and alive with living. John and his sister Mary learned from their mom how to improvise and make something out of nothing, like how to doctor up a dinner, duct tape a car, and take care of family. One of her favorite sayings was “don’t talk about it, just do it.” She really hated waiting for people.
She inspired the whole way John Roos operates in the world, which will come as no surprise if you’ve met him. We’re celebrating this Roos family icon with a tribute blend and donating $5 from every bag sold to Clean Water Action.
Made with beans from Sumatra and Honduras, this well balanced medium roast has notes of creamy orange and chocolate. Like Betty, it has an understated sweetness you might miss at first glance.
