John Roberts
The memorial service has been postponed until further notice.
John Charles “Chuck” Roberts was born on 21 Feb 1970 in Florissant, Missouri, and died on 28 Feb 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri.
He is survived by his wife (“The Lovely”) Kathleen Peterson Roberts and parents John L. and Lois Jean Hayes Roberts all of St. Charles, Missouri.
John was a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and the University of San Diego Law School. He practiced Elder Law in San Diego, California, and then began “Seaing the World” with Kathleen (www.seaingtheworld.com) as a Microsoft Studio Host aboard Holland America Line cruise ships. They went around the world several times sailing the seven seas and visiting every continent. John was an avid geocacher and found geocaches in 118 different countries and all seven continents. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and extended family. His remains helped others via a gift of tissue donation to Mid-America Transplant (www.midamericatransplant.org).
In lieu of flowers, donations of time/talent/financial support are welcome at Musicians On Call (www.musiciansoncall.org), a charity that provides live music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, Walter’s Walk (www.walterswalk.com) or any charitable organization close to your heart. Please indicate that you would like to make your gift in honor of John “Chuck” Roberts when completing your donation.
His wife and family thank everyone who has shared prayers, good thoughts and memories of their wonderful husband and son. They also thank all the doctors, nurses, chaplains, and staff who cared for him in his final days.
There will always be music, even in the silence.
We’ve known Chuck a long time. We will miss how his bright smile lights up a room, and the many stories of his adventures with Kathleen.
Our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Ed and Paula Young
A true inspiration for a life well-lived. John embodied the values of a global citizen and continues to be a role model in memoriam. Thank you for your selfless guidance and support.
My condolences to everyone near and dear to him! Thoughts and Prayers for peace during this time! I went to grade school and junior high with Chuck, unlike a lot of kids we went to school with, I would have recognized him on the street because he looked like the kid I knew just a bit more grown up! Had a lot of classes and time spent with Chuck in our younger world. Super sorry for your loss. Comfort be with you all during this time!
I knew John back when John was Chuck. Back when as in “way back when”. I have pictures of him somewhere at my first- or second-grade birthday party. We went bowling. He dropped the ball on his foot and had to sit out a game. But when I think of Chuck, it’s mainly from our late middle-school years when something called the “moonwalk” (some of you may remember) swept us off our feet. Like everyone else, we just had to learn how to do that. That was the first time we realized that “wall-to-wall” carpeting had a downside. You need a smooth surface to moonwalk, so we spent hours in my tiled basement in front of a mirror. All of our socks soon had holes, but the rest, as they say, is history… We went on to master (well, kind of) the art of the worm (is that what it was called?) and spinning (or at least wobbling) on our backs. We bought matching outfits. We had nicknames (I’m not telling). We printed business cards! We were the Charleytown Breakers (and don’t you forget it!). We taught some classes at a dance school and even gave a few “public” performances. Now, I am so endlessly thankful that phones weren’t around back then to record all that… Chuck was once a lawyer. I’m sure he would agree with that statement.
I recently read something that I think we could all agree with: “We don’t just live with the living. We also live with those who meant something in our lives.”
So this is what I think about when I think about Chuck. It’s all so silly now, but my life would certainly be less rich without it.
I first met Chuck in 4th grade. He had a big personality even at that young age. The first time he really impressed me was on a field trip to the Arch. On the drive down, he improvised a single joke for about 20 minutes that had us all crying from laughing so hard. (The “Purple Ape” joke, if anyone else remembers). I remember when he and Jeff formed St. Charles’ premiere break dancing troupe. Maybe I first saw them perform in Derek Jensen’s basement. I was so happy when he and Kathy reconnected later in life. It was terrible to hear that our friend has passed, but I will always remember him as one of the first people I really looked up to. I always wanted to be more like Chuck.
I work with Carolyn, his mother-in-law and have kept up on their sailing adventures. What a wonderful example of living life. My condolences to all of John’s wife Kathleen along with her family and friends during this very difficult time. In closing, thanks to the family for donating to a very important organization.
My very best,
Becky Fuchs