Obituary of Richard P. Roberts

Richard P. (Duff) Roberts of Vestal Richard Perle Roberts (known to friends and relatives as "Duff" and "Duffer") went to be with his Lord on April 11, 2010. Richard was born February 28, 1941 in Cortland, NY, the son of Senior Master Sergeant, U.S.A.F. Theodore E. Roberts and Marjorie L. Rhines. Predeceased by his father; and a brother, Stephen M. Roberts. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Sally J. McDowell Roberts of Vestal; his mother, Marjorie L. Roberts of Castle Rock, WA; a brother, Terrance K. (Kathy) Roberts of Centralia, WA; five children, Harold W. (Carol) Roberts of Cortland, Aimee G. (Michael) Hamabata of Pacific Grove, CA, Carl E. (Sherri) Roberts of Darrington, WA, Sarah E. (Mark) Fairbanks of Cortland, Rebekah L. (Andrew) Wicken of Stanwood, WA; 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was an adolescent member of the Boy Scouts of America (Order of the Arrow recipient), Order of De Moley. He was nine-year member of Toastmasters International. Richard earned his private pilot's license in 1967 and served as a flying officer and flew many search and rescue missions with the Spokane Squadron, Washington Wing, Civil Air Patrol. Richard retired from the United States Army as a Sergeant First Class (SFC) after serving 23 years (active and reserves), with his last assignment as a Combat Engineer Instructor, 3rd Battalion, 391st Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 98th Division (Training), Hillcrest, NY. A Funeral Service for Dick will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 16, 2010, at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, Inc., 765 Main St., Vestal, NY. The Rev. David Parsons, Pastor of his church, will officiate. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in the Onondaga Valley Cemetery, Syracuse, NY. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. Those wishing may make contributions in Dick's memory to the memorial fund at Calvary Baptist Tabernacle, 729 Main St., Vestal, NY.