Jack Roberts

1931 - 2004

Dr. Jack Roberts, 72, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004, at a Denton hospital.

Funeral: A scripture wake service will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors in Denton. Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mark Catholic Church, 2800 Pennsylvania Dr., Denton, with the Rev. Karl Schilken and Monsignor Joe Schumacher officiating. Burial: 1:30 p.m. in Mount Olivet Memorial Park in Fort Worth.

Memorials: Jack Roberts Scholarship Fund at UNT College of Music, attention: Elida Tamez, P.O. Box 311367, Denton 76203 or by calling (940) 565-2243; or to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Organ Fund, in care of Dr. Paul R. Jones, 1409 E. Windsor, Denton 76209.

Jack Roberts enjoyed a distinguished career as a concert performer and pedagogue, and was described by the late journalist and critic John Rosenfield as "a pianist of fine artistry and taste." He had been professor of music in the keyboard studies division at the College of Music (UNT) since 1957.

Dr. Roberts received his bachelor of arts and master of music from North Texas State University (now UNT), where he was a student of Silvio and Isabel Scionti. He was awarded a Fulbright grant to study at the Vienna Academy form music and dramatic arts, where he was a pupil of Richard Hauser, who had studied with Liszt's pupil, Emil von Sauer. Later, he received a doctorate of musical arts degree at the University of Michigan, with study under the noted Bartok student, Gyorgy Sandor.

Roberts also coached Alicia de Lorrocha and Leon Fleisher. In addition to teaching at the University of Michigan, Roberts gave performances and master classes at the National University, and Fugen University in Taipei (Taiwan). For many years, Roberts was an official competition pianist for the G.B. Dealey Competition in Dallas. He remained in demand not only as a solist, but also in chamber music and vocal collaboration, accompanying the late beloved tenor, Eugene Conley.

Dr. Roberts was a designated Steinway Artist and served as a judge for the Van Cliburn Amateur Piano Competition.

Dr. Roberts, in addition to his duties at North Texas, served on the faculty of the Interlochen Music Camp and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Austria.

Dr. Roberts was the organist for the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton, where he was a member.

Jack Roberts was a native of Fort Worth, born June 22, 1931, a son of the late Witt and Nora Dye Robert. He received his childhood training in piano and organ from the late William Barclay at Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth.

He was loved and will be missed greatly.

Survivors: Brothers, Witt Roberts and his wife, Eloise of Richland Hills; Bob G. Roberts and his wife, Jeanelle of Fort Worth; sister, Paula Neal and her husband, C.A. of Hurst; numerous nieces and nephews; and a world of good friends and associates.