Ralph Douglas Roberts

Ralph Douglas Roberts

Ralph Douglas Roberts, 73, of Fork Union, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 13, 2009, at a local care facility.

He was born July 8, 1935, in Charlottesville, the son of the late George R. Roberts Sr. and Alice W. Rhodes Roberts.

He was also preceded in death by four nephews, Ronnie Roberts, Larry Roberts, Lee Cason Jr. and Richard Cason; and one brother-in-law, Lee Cason Sr.

Ralph was a member of the Belmont United Methodist Church and a graduate of Lane High School, Class of 1954. He served 20 years in the United States Air Force as a Radio Equipment Technician. He was appointed to the Presidential Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Maryland. He flew with Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson.

In 1964, Ralph volunteered to serve overseas and took his family to Turkey and later to France. In 1970, he was sent to Cam Rahnbay in Vietnam for one year. After returning to the States, Ralph was stationed in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he retired in 1974. Upon returning home, he attended Piedmont Virginia Community College. Later he worked as an electrician for Midway Electric Company. He started his own Cable Construction Company in 1980 and retired again in 2002. Ralph was an avid hunter and coin collector.

Surviving him are his wife of 56 years, Nancy Cason Roberts; a daughter, Mary Alice Sipe and her husband, David; a son, Robert D. Roberts and his wife, Sharon, of Fork Union; 10 grandchildren, Alisha, Mary Lynn, Nikki, Kassie, Jasmine, Ryan, Bobby, Bradley, Dakota, and Jaden; five great-grandchildren, Mary Jane, Ricky, Daijaun, Desirea, and Rachel; three brothers, George Roberts Jr. and his wife, Kay, of Charlottesville, Ronnie Roberts and his wife, Shirley, of Scottsville, and Paul Roberts of Philadelphia; six brothers-in-law and their wives; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ralph loved all of his family and friends. He had a generous heart and gentle soul.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2009, at the Hill and Wood Funeral Home with the Reverend Buddy Woodson officiating. Interment will follow at Monticello Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 15, 2009, at the funeral home.

The family suggests that any desired memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Way, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911 or the Fluvanna County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 96, Palmyra, VA 22963.

Friends may sign the guest book at www.hillandwood.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.