ROBERTS, Leonard B.

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ April 1, 2011 Leonard B. Roberts Leonard Roberts of Eagar died March 9, 2011, at Kindred Hospital in Phoenix due to complications from a car accident Dec. 27, 2010 in Springerville. Leonard was born Dec. 12, 1925, into a large family in Loveland, Colo. A younger brother and sister joined the family within the next four years. His father, Leonard George (L.G.) Roberts died in a motorcycle accident, just days after Leonard’s third birthday. His mother Sylvia Roberts struggled to hold the family together during those very trying times. Sylvia passed away Dec. 15, 1964. Leonard attended a small Christian Academy from which he graduated in 1944. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and spent the next five years serving his country attaining the rank of Tech Sgt. During his tenure in the service he married Jean Sterling. One daughter, Uneijce was born to that marriage Feb. 1, 1949. Uneijce passed away September 30, 1999. That marriage ended in divorce in 1954. He married Esther Elsey June 19, 1955. Esther had three children which Leonard accepted and welcomed into his home and nurtured them until they went out on their own. After serving in the Army he spent several years at several occupations including working in the timber industry in the Northwest. He worked for some years as an orderly and as a licensed practical nurse in nursing homes and hospitals. The final 21 years of his working career he spent at the Paradise Valley Hospital in National City, San Diego as the Assistant Plant Superintendent. He retired to the White Mountains in 1987. He was an avid outdoorsman who liked to camp, hike, canoe, etc. He climbed Mt. Whitney around 1994 and enjoyed climbing the local mountains of Arizona which included several trips to the top of Escudilla, Baldy, Kendrick and Humphrey. In 1994 he went to New Zealand and hiked the Milford and Routeburn treks. Among his canoeing activities he with the wife canoed the Bowren Lakes in Canada. Over a period of time he canoed down the Colorado River covering over 100 miles. These trips were all below the Hoover dam. Leonard’s six brothers, two sisters, mother, father, wife and his daughter preceded him in death. He leaves three stepchildren (Buck, Loni, and Jack); 10 grandchildren: Heath, Rheena, Will, Chad, Brian, Kwendi, Jamie, Stephen, Natasha, and Tony; and 12 great grandchildren behind. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at Burnham Mortuary, 535 N. Main St. in Eagar. Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements. To send condolences, visit www.burnhammortuary.com