ROBERTS, Dr. Ralph S. "Ned": Died 1966

ROBERTS, MANNING, OVERMAN, MCCLURG, HILL, STONG

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/2/2019 at 05:02:16

Keosauqua lost a great friend and generous benefactor last Friday morning, March 18.

Dr. Ralph S. (Ned) Roberts, 78, of San Diego, Calif. was found dead in bed at his home by his gardener, according to work received here Friday noon. Death was attributed to a heart attack. he had been ill for two months with influenza.

A wealthy man, Dr. Roberts had a generosity which knew few bounds when it came to his hometown, Keosauqua. He was born here Dec. 14, 1887, the son of Wilkin and Carolyn Roberts, and graduated from high school here in 1906. He was the youngest of seven children, and the family home was located where Archie's Grocery now stands.

The Roberts Memorial building, located north of town near the Van Buren County fairgrounds, is a $100,00 property donated by Dr. Roberts and dedicated to the memory of his parents.

Constructed primarily for the youth of the area and especially for 4-H groups at fair time, the building is used widely by many organizations for large meetings, dances, dinners and special events.

It includes a large room with a stage, kitchen and bathroom facilities. One room is furnished with antipues(err) and reserved for special occasions and Van Buren Foundation meetings. The building also houses the Van buren County Welfare Office.

Dr. Roberts established the Van Buren Foundation as a governing body for the building and for other funds and properties he donated. It also controls a tree farm in the county valued at $46,000.

Just recently it was announced by the foundation chairman, Jo. S. Stong, that Dr. Roberts over the years has donated $100,000 toward a low-head dam on the Des Moines River at Keosauqua.

A Keosauqua public library now in the planning stages received a $10,000 donation from Dr. Roberts.

Hardly an organization in town which ever embarked on a special fund-raising drive went without a sizeable contribution from "Ned" Roberts.

The Van Buren Historical Society recently received a $1,000 check from him to help restore an old brick building as a museum. At the time Dr. Roberts wrote that his mother once attended school in the building, later used as a church.

His interest in the town extended to a drive to obtain lights on the school's athletic field, and he promptly sent the committee in charge, two checks, one for $500 and another for $1,000.

A well educated man, Dr. Roberts received a bachelor of arts degree from Leland Stanford University, a master of arts degree from the University of California, and a doctor of philosophy degree from Columbia University after working on his doctorate a year each of Tulane University and the University of Chicago.

He taught psychology and education at the University of Arizona and the University of California, and traveled extensively in Europe. After leaving his teaching career, he went into real estate in California.

Dr. Roberts' first wife was Margaret Manning of Keosauqua, now of California. His wife Marion died several years ago. He had no children.

Besides his brother Frank of San Diego, Dr. Roberts is survived by a sister, Mrs. Phyllis Overman of Blair, Nebr. Among nieces and nephews surviving are Dr. Haven McClurg of Fairfield and Mrs. Carolyn Hill of Omaha.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Fred and Neil, and sisters Clair and Madge. Madge was the wife of Dr. Frank McClurg of Keosauqua.

Dr. and Mrs. Haven McClurg of Fairfield and Mr. and Mrs. Jo. S. Stong of Keosauqua attended services which were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 22 at St. Andrews Church in San Diego.

Dr. Roberts was to have been named "Man of the Year" this spring by the Keosauqua Commercial Club at thier annual banquet, according to Clay Lanman, president.

Lanman said the club had previousl voted to give the honor to Dr. Roberts, and the plaque for presentation was being engraved.

**Handwritten: 1966

Source: "Slutts Book", Pg. 238, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA