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BORN

1935

DIED

2017

Clint Roberts Obituary

Clint Roberts

Clint Roberts, 82 of Ft. Pierre, died Monday, February 13 at Aver St. Mary's Hospital. Visitation will be 5-7pm, Thursday, February 16 at Isburg Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7:00pm. Memorial Service will be at 11:00am, Friday, February 17 at First United Methodist Church with inurnment at Presho City Cemetery

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Isburg Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.isburgfuneralchapels.com

Clinton Ronald Roberts was born on January 30, 1935, in Presho, SD. He was adopted by his maternal grandparents, Clint and Grace Roberts and attended grade school and high school in Presho. He graduated from Presho High School in 1952 and attended Black Hills University.

On December 7, 1952, Clint married Beverly Dittman in Presho, and they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in 2016. They had four children, Debra, Schelle, Clayton and Kristi. Clint and Bev's youngest daughter Kristi died in 1999. There are six grandchildren in the family and eight great-grandchildren. Family was always a priority for Clint, along with community service and civic pride.

Clint farmed and ranched in Lyman County for most of his lifetime and also taught country school briefly. In the early 1970's, he was known as "the Marlboro Man" in the SD Senate for the commercial shoots for Marlboro, as he was featured in such ads. He also appeared in several Schlitz commercials, a rugged cowboy with horsemanship skills. Clint was an actor in the movies, "Orphan Train" and "duchess and Dirtwater Fox" in the 1970's. He produced and narrated the movie "Love or the Land", a documentary film about agriculture in South Dakota.

One of Clint's passions was community service, and he served as a state representative and senator for many years. Following that service, he was elected as one of SD's US Representatives in 1980. It was during that term that he developed the idea of having a conservation reserve enhancement program. He aspired to become Governor, but was defeated in the Republican primaries in 1978 and 1986. He served as the Director of Energy Policy and SD Secretary of Agriculture. He also worked as a consultant for the International Trade Administration. Clint was the Director for the SD Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, retiring in 2003. His retirement years were spent enjoying family life in Fort Pierre, SD, living on the river.

Clint's unselfish contributions in the political arena, most notably his design of the CREP, improved South Dakota's economy and indirectly brought international recognition to our state because of the renewed emphasis on pheasant hunting. His film career also gave South Dakota national publicity. Clint's innovative inception of CREP gave South Dakota's agriculture economy significant support, and for all his civic contributions, was inducted into the SD Hall of Fame in 2007.

Clint is survived by his wife Beverly; children Debra Brakke (Verne), Schelle Wenner, and Clayton Roberts (Pamela), and grandchildren Nathan Brakke (Michelle), Matthew Brakke (Kimberly), Tessa Wenner, Clint Hunter Roberts (Stephanie), Chelsey Roberts Renemans (Nick), and Tiffany Menke (Nick). Clint also leaves behind eight adoring great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to Countryside Hospice in Pierre or Ruby's Remedy; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in lieu of flowers.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Argus Leader on Feb. 15, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Clint Roberts

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4 Entries

Judy Blaseg

February 17, 2017

Bev and Family, my deepest sympathies. It was an honor to work for Congressman Roberts in Washington and he was truly one of a kind.

Brenda (Kerns) Polk

February 16, 2017

Uncle Clint - Your kindness and love of life touched many people from all walks of life. Your legacy lives on through your children and their children and their children. My deepest condolences to Aunt Bev, Deb, Schelle, and Clay. May you find comfort during this time of loss.

Denny Oviatt

February 15, 2017

I had the pleasure of working with Clint many times when he was in Pierre. He was a fine example of South Dakota culture. A true country gentleman. He added so much to our South Dakota history. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Denny Oviatt
Scottsdale AZ

Barry Nelson

February 15, 2017

I was Clint's campaign manager in 1986, He was a real man of the people and knew agriculture and tourism better than anyone I ever, My condolences to Bev and the family. He would have been a great Governor.

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Memorial Events
for Clint Roberts

Feb

16

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Isburg Funeral Chapel

SD

Feb

16

Prayer Service

7:00 p.m.

Isburg Funeral Chapel

SD

Feb

16

Inurnment

Presho City Cemetery

SD

Feb

17

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

First United Methodist Church

SD

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