Obituary of Dick Roberts

Carrol Richard “Dick” Roberts, 85, passed away January 30, 2023, in Olympia, Washington.  He was born July 16, 1937, to C.R. and Ruth V. Roberts in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for many years before moving in 1996 to Olympia, Washington.

 

In 1955, Dick graduated from Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but not before getting his private pilot's license. Always interested in flying and aviation in general, he went on to earn a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Tulsa University (TU) in 1959.  This was followed by a few years working as an engineer, including an exciting period  working inside Atlas missile silos in Kansas.  Dick later continued his Aeronautical Engineering education at the University of Southern California, graduating with an MS degree in 1965. During his engineering career, he was privileged and proud to have helped design the Saturn 5 housing for the lunar lander.

 

He continued his engineering career while exploring postgraduate business courses at TU, which led him to pursue his business doctorate. In 1979, Dick received his PhD from the University of Minnesota. 

 

Dr. Roberts’ second career in teaching began at TU, where he taught 20 years in the business school before retiring in 1996 and moving to Olympia, Washington.  His love of teaching kept him busy in Olympia, instructing and developing online business courses for Ashford University until 2016.

 

Being a father and grandfather was his greatest love. A close second was watching Oklahoma University football.

 

Dick is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth E. (Sparks) Roberts of Olympia; son, Colin R. Roberts of Olympia; daughter, Senta A. (Roberts) Morgan of Eufaula, Oklahoma; two beautiful granddaughters; and two very busy great-grandsons. 

 

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