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Harold Roberts Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Harold Roberts
david wylier
October 15, 2019
Harolds photo is still in my office next to my desk, and we still speak kind words & thoughts of Harold to this day with industry associates, that remember him also......one of the nicest people I've ever met.
David
karen taggart
October 29, 2008
my thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time
Bonnie Antin
October 26, 2008
We extend our deepest sympathies to your entire family.........our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Bonnie & Tony Antin
Suzanne Albert's Mother-in-law and Step-dad
DAVID WYLIER
October 25, 2008
"AS A WELL-SPENT DAY
BRINGS HAPPY SLEEP
SO LIFE WELL USED
BRINGS HAPPY DEATH"
LEONARDO DA VINCI
David Wylier
October 23, 2008
“I’ll Have to Talk to My Engineer.”
When I became an independent architect in Buffalo, New York, it did not take me long to figure out that I needed a structural engineer for virtually all of my architectural projects. I was fortunate enough to be referred to an older gentleman, Mr. Harold Roberts, P.E., whom was also a founding partner of a local firm, Roberts, Shackleton & Boy, Architects & Engineers. As it turned out, that introduction was definitely one of the luckiest days of my professional and personal life. Harold, being in the latter part of his professional career, would give me both excellent professional guidance and life mentoring. Being in the building construction business every day with contractors, clients, and town inspectors, oddly enough, the first thing that comes to mind in reflecting on Harold and all of his achievements is that I personally never heard him use profanity or bad language towards anyone or anything under any circumstance, and when I was around him, I would also not use profanity or bad language when speaking. The lesson here, I think, relates to Harold’s time-tested experience and his own personal values; there really is no reason to get that upset or befuddled toward using bad language; well Harold was probably the most level-headed and sensible thinker I’ve ever known. He never got visibly upset or overly agitated by work-related issues; that’s why they have architects. Harold was to us architects what a net is to a flying trapeze artists, a knowledge that if per chance you would fall, there is a good measure of safety below to cushion the fall. Fortunately, with Harold and his extensive design expertise, our projects always worked out according to plan and with little or no minor site adjustments necessary.
What people may or may not know about architects is that they are more like artists and do need a good engineer to make their designs become a reality. When your client approves the project to go forward, the first thing you say to your client is ... “I’ll have to talk to my engineer,” ... which is so true. You see, the project wasn’t really a project until Harold spent a few hours or several dozen hours crunching numbers on his calculator, in that, who knows if we can build this design and if it will work? The best feeling was to see the “O.K.” at the end of Harold’s calculation sheets. This meant that you could actually build the artist’s sketches that you’ve convinced your clients on for the past 3-4 months. Harold understood this and often times would look at some design I would bring him and say, “How are ‘we’ going to build this?” I would always reply, “If I knew that I wouldn’t be here, would I?” Of course, he was kidding, and always came up with the proper and best solution within a day or two, and was very good at understanding the desired final look that I, as the architect, was envisioning.
Structural engineering is also an art form; most people when looking at a new building see the brick and glass and cladding; they do not see that below the attractive façade, there is a skeleton of structural steel that conforms to that building design and is intact holding everything together, so that it does not fall down or blow away. On a good day, when walking into Harold’s office, I could walk right in, with only an hour’s notice, and sit down with Harold to review the next project’s structural design problem. We could sit down for half an hour and I would come back the next day or so to find out what the necessary structural parameters would be for the job. On a bad day, I would walk into the office and immediately see a short line of architects at his office door, and wish I would have gotten there fifteen minutes earlier. Brow beating the architects usually would not shorten my wait in line, and telling them that I was Harold’s favorite architect would not work either, so I would leave and either come back the next day or I could go directly to his home (which he encourage), more often than not, I would always prefer this option, and relax with him and Bunny most of the time. After a few minutes of work, we would sit back and chat about just about everything. I would enjoy Harold’s unique perspective on most subjects, as he was my elder, I enjoyed listening and he happened to be very bright and knowledgeable about most subjects.
Over the last fifteen years and countless projects, Harold and I spent many hours together, and really enjoyed our collaborations on the many different architectural designs and structural solutions, large and small. We did develop a nice working relationship, which, when you are building millions of dollars of structures, is very comforting to an architect. Harold knew that when I said 4:00, it meant 4:30, quarter to 5:00, and when Harold said, “I’ll have it done by tomorrow morning,” it meant maybe Friday, probably late Monday morning. Unlike architects, Harold, in his structural endeavors, could not take shortcuts in his duties, there is only, “It works” or “It doesn’t work,” or we change the design to make it work. We don’t like the last option, but once in awhile, we had to change something on the design to make the structure work. Then, afterwards, I would think back, “boy, am I glad we changed that!” I always made sure to show Harold the finished product of the projects that he worked on with my office; the architects always seem to take all the glory. Harold was always glad that the various projects were successful and most of the time was able to meet the various clients on-site after completion.
Harold always took great pleasure in talking about his children and their various achievements over the years, which only reinforced the fact that Harold and Bunny are a truly wonderful and caring couple. Spending free time with both of them and their friends and family is perhaps the best reward from my professional relationship with Harold. Most people really only have a select few professional and personal relationships that they can enjoy. The fact that Harold was older than most of the people he worked with on a daily basis probably had a lot to do with the respect and integrity he was able to generate and instill in others he would deal with in the office, on the phone and in the field. His name would always reflect an earned respect from all the regional town building departments and their respective building inspectors. When onsite, Harold did command much respect and always had the final say. He was always fair and matter-of-fact when making changes in the field and no one ever questioned his decisions with regards to the structural design; everyone onsite knew that Harold had years and years of experience and would probably come up with the proper solution and always did so calmly, while saving face for all parties concerned, usually the architect or the builder.
One of the most remarkable things that I will personally remember about Harold was his dedication to health and fitness. I was amazed to learn one day that Harold went to the same gym that I did, the BAC. I was very impressed that a man of his age was going to the gym virtually every day at lunch time. Well, I had been a member of the BAC several times on and off. I would never extend my 3-month membership into a full membership. I was simply too busy to go every day to the gym. Finally, after months and months of firm coaxing by Harold, I decided to join the gym for a full year. That was several years ago; today if I miss a day at the gym, I feel bad, because I know Harold would be on the phone the same day saying, “Dave, I didn’t see you at the gym today.” There is not a day that I visit the gym and when I am on my machine doing my workout, that I do not think of Harold and how he has helped me gain a better level of common sense and the ability to realize that life should be lived with moderation and modesty. Harold, if anything, was perhaps the most modest individual, given his ability to analyze and solve complex problems with ease and confidence. His smile was a dead giveaway, that he was happy and satisfied with himself and his achievements in life. He definitely has made me a better person and improved my life for having spent only some of his time with me and my family and friends. I am certain that the same holds true for most all of Harold’s friends and associates, whom he encountered throughout the years of his long professional and personal life. We can only wish he could have stayed with us just awhile longer, but we can all very easily try a little harder to emulate his good nature and kind manner through our daily lives.
Jamie Farrell
October 22, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jennifer Wilkinson Chin
October 22, 2008
Louise, Linda, and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your fond memories help you through your time of mourning.
With sympathy, your friend,
carrie choboy
October 21, 2008
Having know Harold for the past 15+ years and the wonderful family he and Bunny raised, I know how much he will be missed. I learned a couple of things from Harold -- always expect the best of yourself and hold the bar high for your kids. Your kids will love and respect you for holding the bar way up there. Also, welcome everyone into your home, you will meet interesting and provacative people that way and it will broaden your outlook. My deepest sympathies to the entire Roberts Family.
Eileen Farrell Kelchlin
October 21, 2008
Dear Bunny & family - our deepest sympathy on Harold's passing. I have such fond memories of the Robert's family when we all lived on Grand Island - the many good times at the K of C w/ the McDonough & Farrell clans & the lively singing sessions that entertained so many!!! May the fond memories you cherish see you through the days ahead.
Mary Gilbert
October 21, 2008
Dear Bunny and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Harold. On behalf of the entire Farrell family, we send our deepest sympathy. It is with the fondest of memories that we remember Harold and the Roberts clan from our days living in Grand Island. You will all be kept in our thoughts and our prayers during this very sad time.
Don and Mary Margaret Gilbert
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