ROBERTS, Joseph Gene

Lake Powell Chronicle, Page, Arizona Thursday, Oct 27th, 2011 Joseph Gene Roberts, 81, a longtime resident of Page, died peacefully surrounded by family in Kanab, Utah on Oct. 18. Roberts was born Nov. 12, 1929 in Conway, Ark., where he spent his youth. He had a lifelong fascination with radio and electronics, which led into several related career fields. A devoted teacher, Roberts worked in Arkansas, New Mexico and Arizona, including Page High School. Roberts enjoyed several summers as a counselor at Sky-Y Camp in Prescott. While teaching at Glendale High School, Roberts was named Arizona Science Teacher of the Year. He implemented NASA’s education program and found ham and public radio clubs. Roberts was a lifetime member of the Amateur Radio Relay League. While in the Phoenix area, Roberts authored papers for Science Digest, voiced radio commercials and was active with the Civil Air Patrol as well as ham radio, providing communication for military families. Roberts moved with his family to Page in the mid ‘70s. He was instrumental in the design of the sound system in the Cultural Arts Building. He also contributed to the installation of the closed circuit TV system and a television studio at the high school. Roberts served as the audio-visual director for Page schools for several years. A lover of classical music, he was involved with the Lake Powell Concert Association for many years. He and Evelyn helped choose which performers would come to Page. Roberts was devoted to his family, and many people felt his generous spirit. Roberts spent hours selecting greeting cards for friends and associates and composing the messages he included in them. Roberts will be remembered for his love of trains, chili cooking, stamp collecting and the splendor of the foliage at the North Rim in the fall. Roberts held amateur radio license W7DRR, and served as a reliable link in worldwide ham radio networks. Roberts is survived by his wife, Pastor Evelyn Roberts (Grantham) of Page Community United Methodist Church; son Donald of Florissant, Colo.; daughter Debby Knott and her husband Bill of Sherwood, Ore.; son Benjamin of Page; sister Jeannine Roberts of Conway, Ark.; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A celebration of Roberts’ life will be held Oct. 25.
Posted by Sharla on January 15, 2012

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