Joseph Roberts

Joseph Allen Roberts Jr., beloved pediatrician, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, hopped on his horse and rode peacefully into the sunset on February 7, 2026.

Joe was born on June 23, 1940, in Great Falls, Montana, to Joseph Allen Roberts Sr. and Florence Halpin Roberts. He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1958 and completed his pre-med studies at the College of Great Falls in 1962. He later moved to Utah to attend medical school at the University of Utah, beginning the journey that would define his life's work.

For more than 40 years, Dr. Roberts served countless families and children as a compassionate and dedicated pediatrician. His commitment to service extended beyond his practice when he joined the United States Army, serving from August 1970 to October 1972 as a pediatrician at the 56th General Hospital in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. During this time, his daughter, Carolyn, was born. He reached the rank of Major and was encouraged to advance further, but he often shared that he had no desire to be in charge of adults.

Joe loved the outdoors and, in his younger years, enjoyed camping, hunting, and skeet shooting, earning many awards for his skill. He was an avid art collector with a special appreciation for the work of Charles Russell. He was also a dedicated coin and stamp collector and could often be found at his work table carefully examining each piece. He was proud of his Native American heritage and shared stories of his paternal grandfather, who was full Chippewa.

Known for his steady ways and strong work ethic, Joe believed deeply in the importance of education and instilled that value in young people throughout his life, especially in his daughter. He was a stickler about being on time and if you weren't early you were late. He also had a well-known love for ice cream and, if he had his way, would have happily eaten it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We often joked that it was one of the four food groups. He proud to be an avid Raiders fan and spent most of his life teasing Carolyn for being a Broncos fan.

After retiring in 2011, Joe and his wife Jean moved to Moab, Utah, where he quickly became known as "Doc." He cherished the community, built lasting friendships, and volunteered his time at local schools and on the nearby reservation. Those who knew him understood that if you were welcomed into his heart, you were part of a very special circle. He adored his many pets over the years and treated them as members of the family.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Jean Bastian Roberts; his daughter, Carolyn, and her husband, Larry Hansen; his grandsons, Ethan (Kait) and Seth Hansen; and Paul Falkner, Cathy Falkner and Claudia Baldwin, who shared a special lifelong connection with Joe. He is also survived by many others who lovingly called him "Papa Joe."

He was preceded in death by his parents, cousin, and his dearest friend, Ken Kelly.

A heartfelt thank you to Maria West, who cared for Joe over the last year of his life and went above and beyond to ensure he was comfortable, well cared for, and able to remain in his home for as long as he could. She is truly an angel, and we are deeply grateful.

Joe will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Now slip on your cowboy boots, your favorite Wrangler shirt, pour yourself a Diet Coke and Southern Comfort and give your mom the hug you've been waiting to give her for years.

Services for Joe will be held on February 23, 2026 at 11 am at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park: 17111 South Camp Williams Road Bluffdale, Utah.