- Date Of Death: January 16, 2017
- State: New Mexico
Donald G. Roberts passed away quietly on Monday, January 16, 2017 at a care facility in Albuquerque after an extended illness at the age of 93. Don was born in Albuquerque on September 25, 1923 to Frank West Roberts and Hazel Gerard Roberts. His first wife was Maxine Hill of Albuquerque and he later married Jewell Montgomery Pederson of Los Alamos.
Don graduated from Albuquerque High School and from the University of New Mexico. During World War II, Don served in the United States Navy as a co-pilot of a patrol bomber in the Pacific theater and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. Later, he worked as an engineer for ACF Industries (Nuclear Products Division) in Albuquerque until it closed in 1967 and then at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories for many years. He was involved in many underground nuclear weapons tests at Yucca Flats in Nevada until the national moratorium on such testing began.
In retirement, Don enjoyed road trips and camping/fishing expeditions with his wife and their Los Alamos friends. He was always an avid woodworker and made many pieces of furniture for his home. He will be remembered for his predictable quirky humor that often caused others to moan and roll their eyes rather than laugh out loud.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jewell; sister, Sarah Ann Garrett; and brother, Frank William Roberts. He is survived by his son, Geoffrey C. Roberts of Vienna, VA; daughter, Robin Cangialosi of Albuquerque; son, Rev. David B. Roberts of Youngstown, OH; and six grandchildren. He is remembered fondly by Jewell’s children and grandchildren.
