Paul F. Roberts

Paul F. Roberts, age 75 of North Mankato, MN died Tuesday, January 2nd at Hillcrest Rehabilitation Center in Mankato following an extended illness.

 

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary.  Visitation will be Friday from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Northview.  Burial will be held at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.

 

Paul Francis, the son of Paul S. and Marion (DeFrees) Roberts, was born on April 11, 1948, in Faribault, MN. Paul attended Faribault High School and graduated in 1966. After high school Paul joined the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam war. He worked as an electronics technician on communications equipment. During his time in the service, he served in the Pacific Fleet on board the USS Joseph Strauss guided missile destroyer-DDG-16, and the USS Henry W. Tucker-DD 875. He was also stationed at a Naval communications station in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, and as an electronics technician in Pearl Harbor, HI working on Submarine electronics. He was honorably discharged after 8 years and settled in Mankato. Paul worked his entire career as a copier technician for Xerox Corp and Carlson Companies.

 

Paul was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 617 in Eagle Lake, MN, and served in many administrative positions including one year as post commander, 2 years as 2nd District Adjutant, and as National Security Chairman. He also spent many years editing the Eagle Lake American Legion Newsletter and was a member of the Last Man’s Club. He loved spending time with his buddies at the Legion Club and Eagle’s Nest in Eagle Lake.

 

Paul loved fishing, and always following the Twins and Vikings teams. Paul loved to travel, especially with his longtime companion, Sandy Terrell. They travelled from Hawaii to the east coast, from Virginia to Florida. They also enjoyed speed boating on the Mississippi river from their condo in Wabasha, MN. These experiences over the last several years were likely the happiest times of his life, despite his declining health.

 

Paul is survived by special friend, Sandy Terrell of Mankato, MN, along with 5 brothers and 1 sister, Mark (Rhonda) Roberts of Crossville, TN, Matthew (Nancy) Roberts of Burnsville, MN, Peter (Kandice) Roberts of Medford, MN, Andrew (Kathleen) Roberts of Burnsville, MN, Christopher (Carleen) Roberts of Northeast, MD and Margaret (Tony) Bulson of Lake Mary, FL; and by many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents.