Roberts, Dr. R. Larry 80, retired high school principal, passed away peacefully at home on March 29, 2020. Dr. Roberts was born November 24, 1939 in Fairview, Oklahoma to Johnnie Raymond and Sibyl Roberts. He spent his early years in Oklahoma until his family moved to Wichita in 1953. Larry graduated from Derby High School in 1958, where he played football, basketball, ran track, and was president of the student body his senior year. On April 8, 1961 Larry married Lynda Kay Maness of Wichita. He received his B.A. and M.A. at Wichita State University and earned his Ph.D. in Public Administration at Oklahoma State University. He was named principal of South High School in 1972. At the time, he was the youngest person ever to receive such an appointment. A beloved administrator by students and faculty, he served as principal from 1972-1978. At the height of school integration, he eased racial tensions and brought unity to a divided school. Following South, Dr. Roberts was named principal of East High School, where he remained until 1983. While at East, he implemented the International Baccalaureate program for gifted students. In 1980, he was honored as "Administrator of the Year" for outstanding contributions to educational leadership. Later, he served as principal of Buhler High School, Buhler, KS, where he was again honored for outstanding service. He also served as Headmaster of the Independent Upper School, Wichita. In addition to his many honors and awards, he was involved in numerous workshops, institutes and conferences as a lecturer, mentor and consultant for school districts in Kansas and Oklahoma. After retiring from education, Dr. Roberts pursued his interests in private business ventures. He was a devoted family man who loved spending time with his wife, two daughters and their families. Ever the eager participant, Larry entertained his family and students alike by dressing as an elf for school Christmas parties, scaring girl scouts as the "Leaf Monster" at a Halloween party, and wearing black to sing "Folsom Prison Blues" at a school talent show. He had a passion for music and frequently sang his favorites aloud. He loved his family dearly and devoted himself to their happiness. Preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Roberts is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lynda; daughter, Teri (Daniel) Blasi of Wichita; daughter, Lori Hanes of Keller, Texas; brother, Bill Roberts of Derby; sister, Sharon (Fred) Meyer of Wichita; and three adoring grandchildren, Alexandra Blasi, Jordan Hanes and Joshua Hanes. No service is planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) in memory of Dr. R. Larry Roberts. The family wishes to thank the many former students, teachers and parents, who over the years, have sent letters of gratitude to Dr. Roberts. Arrangements by Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com.

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Published by Wichita Eagle on Apr. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for R. Roberts

10 Entries

Gary Curmode

April 13, 2025

Not sure if I added this memory or not. Dr. Roberts was my seventh grade teacher at Roosevelt in social studies and he was excellent teacher. I learned so much from him. Great person I saw him play basketball with the faculty. Teachers didn´t get paid very much then and a lot of moonlighted and my mother took me out to Sears to buy some shoes and their Dr. Roberts was in the shoe department and I bought some shoes from him. I probably did over the years when he worked there probably about three or four pair. Always a gentleman very strong person and I knew he was destined for greatness in the school district and he did.

Wichita High School South Class of 1976

April 21, 2020

Della O'Hara Lickteig '76, Condolences to Lynda and the kids as you mourn the loss of your husband, dad, and grandpa. You've heard it many times, Dr. Roberts was a wonderful Administrator.
Stan Rajtar '76, Condolences to Dr. Roberts' family and friends.
Charles A Baldwin '76, Sorry for the loss of Doctor Robert family God bless you all
Jacalyn Schountz Strong '76, Oh I'm sorry to see this. He was such a great man. He believed in me and encouraged me in many ways. Condolences to his family.
Linda Hoobler, South teacher, Another of the good guys!! He was truly a special guy at a special time for South High! This makes me so sad!
Paula Hansen Harvey '76, RIP Dr. Roberts, you truly made a difference in a lot of lives!!! ❤
Diana Kerans '76, So sorry to be reading this. My prayers go out to his family.
Denise Gunkel '76, May he rest in eternal peace.
Sue Koenig Pray '76, Remember his bell bottoms, probably polyester and light blue. He was a good guy!
Kent VanDeest '76, Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
JD Gasaway '76, Prayers and condolences to the family
Carolyn Heinze Mousley '76, One of my favorites. Such a sad loss for many.
Don Birmingham '76, So sorry to see this, I know he had a positive impact on a lot of lives.
Renee Taton Hawes '76 So sorry to hear this. Prayers to his family
Debra Smith Baraniecki '76 So sorry to hear this.
LaVonne Sisney Bartel '76, So sad to read this. He was a great principal. Prayers out to his family.
Ron Cousins '76, Thank you for your service and your input. You were a good man...today so many years later, i understand.. RIP Dr. Roberts..
Mary Frech Scott '76, Such a loss. Such a great principal, a great man. Prayers for the Robert's family
Pamela Hernandez O'Hare '76, So very sad to hear this. He was such a great principal. Very kind. I remember that our choral group went to his house and sung caroles to him and his wife. He was so surprised. He loved it.
Lori Campbell McCully '76, Sorry to hear this. He was a great principal
Janet Butler '76, Awesome principal...he really cared about us!
Randy Waite '76, I was an office proctor in my senior year. I have a lot of respect for Dr. Roberts.
Lee Stansbury '76, Coolest Principal I ever had the pleasure of having been sent to! Ha Ha
Eric Miller '76 He was a good guy! Always stopped to talk to me. Asked me how school was going. RIP Dr. Roberts
Lanita Perrin Eck '76, Very sad.

tim ross

April 20, 2020

I first met Dr. Roberts at Brooks in 1953. then on to Roosevelt and East. He was the definition of COOL. He dressed really nice and had a habit of always adjusting his tie. He was a very thoughtful person and the best role model any of us could imagine. Thoughts and Prayers to his family. What a GUY!!!!!!! You left an impression on anybody you met. Rest easy!

Marilyn Bolton

April 19, 2020

As a member of the Buhler High School faculty when Larry was principal, I came to know him well and valued him highly. He was an excellent building principal, and students thought he was absolutely wonderful--and he was!

Lindel Silvertooth

April 19, 2020

As an administrative colleague, Larry was highly respected for his leadership and integrity. Was involved in the successful integration of our district and the successful bond in 1974. A great and fun person. God bless his family!

Kay GASAWAY

April 19, 2020

I remember working in student government with Dr. Roberts at Derby High School. Later, as a high school teacher in Wichita, I followed his success as a leader in our district. My prayers and condolences to all his family, including his brother Bill, my Derby classmate. Rest in Peace.

Jack and Michelle Perkins

April 19, 2020

To the Roberts Family:
I attended East High when Mr Roberts, was a principal, and I remember the repore he had with the students, especially the seniors during Senior week. He was a great guy to be around. He will be missed by all of the students that he guided. His memory will be eternal.

Chris Cotterr Family

April 19, 2020

Dr. was my favorite principal of all time, whether it was in grade school, jr high or high school. We loved him at Wichita East. Such a good, loving man. I am so sorry for your loss, Lori. May God hold your dad in His arms as he welcomes him Home.

JUSTINE BUSHER

April 19, 2020

LARRY ROBERTS WAS MY PRINCIPAL WHEN I WAS AT SOUTH HIGH. VERY KIND AND HAPPY MAN. SO SORRY TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY.

April 19, 2020

Mr. Roberts was a teacher I had at Roosevelt Jr. High.I had him in 2 different classes. He was an outstanding teacher. He cared about his students, was driven to give them the best education possible, he was a mentor and role model for me.I recall they did not pay teachers very well in the 60's. Mr. Roberts worked part-time at Sears in the evening, and my mother took me there and who waited on us, but Mr. Larry Roberts. He helped me get a pair of shoes. He had compassion, empathy, humor and a tremendous amount of drive. When I left Roosevelt Jr High and went to East High, I cam back several times and thanked him again an again, I asked him for advice, he was never too busy. Later, when he became principal, I kept in touch. I could go on and on, but the key here is that he was a tremendous teacher, person, husband, father. Thank you Dr. Roberts. May God be with you. One of your thousands of students, you made a difference in all of our lives. Condolences to your family.
Gary Curmode,Wichita, KS

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