Richard L. Roberts

Richard L. "Shorty" Roberts, 89, of Hamer Township, Highland County, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2020.
He was born on October 2, 1931, to Helen Irene Fawley Roberts and James Rolland Roberts on their farm located on Walker (now Rural) Road.  He was the youngest of two sons and suffered severe asthma as a child.  His mother used to take him outside at night and rock him in the cool air to help him breathe. Otherwise, his boyhood on their farm during the Depression was typical.
He graduated from Whiteoak High School in 1949 where he played basketball.  He married Maxine Skidmore the following fall on his birthday.  He and Maxine soon returned to the farm where he farmed with his parents.  They built a house after a few years and raised their family on Rural Road.  Maxine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the 1980s and passed away after 53 years of marriage.  He later married Mary Brock and was able to travel after he retired from farming.  Mary served as his caregiver for many months.
Richard was a member of Union Church of Christ. He loved farming, sports,  and John Deere farm equipment.  He loved his grandchildren, often attending their sporting events, school activities, and graduations.
Surviving are his wife of fourteen years, Mary Brock Roberts; his two children, son Rick (Sue Neal) Roberts, Holland, Kentucky, and daughter Kathy (Tim) Chadwell, Georgetown, Ohio; seven grandchildren Rachel (Kyle) Roberts-Galbraith, Hannah Roberts, Katie Chadwell, Ali (Matt) Julian, John (Claire) Roberts, Jay (Megan) Chadwell, and Jess (Kass) Chadwell; two great-granddaughters Magnolia Galbraith and Ellie Roberts and a great-grandson, Vance Chadwell. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law: Elsie Everetts, Nancy Skidmore, Sue Roberts, and several nieces and nephews and their families.
In addition to his parents and Maxine, he was preceded in death by his older brother Roger Roberts of California.
Because of the COVID pandemic, services will be postponed until a later date.  Interment will be in Hamer Township Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Union Church of Christ or the Brian Grant Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease.
Brian Grant Foundation
650 NE Holladay Street
Suite 1600
Portland, OR   97232
briangrant.org
Union Church of Christ
3021 North Taylorsville
Hillsboro, OH   45133