Robert Penny Roberts

Robert "Bob" Penny Roberts, aged 83, following a life well-lived, passed away on January 13, 2025, at New Orleans University Medical Center with his wife by his side. A devoted husband of 42 years to Barbara Rose Hayley, Bob was her best friend, partner, and love. Together, they shared a life full of joy, kindness, and deep connection.
Born on December 8, 1941, in Davenport, Iowa, Bob was the son of Francis Sidney Penny and Lillian Claire Bullock. Following his father's passing, Bob was adopted by his stepfather, Edwin Milnes Roberts. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his sister, Leslie Claire Roberts Stanga (Michael Stanga) of Plano, TX; his nieces and nephews Molly Stanga (Larry Wilkie), Mark Stanga (Maegan Stanga), Scott Stanga, and Lane Stanga Myers (Taylor Myers); 9 grandnieces and nephews; his lifelong friend Robert Watkins; and his beloved border collies, Hunter and Rosie Roberts, and kitty Willow. Bob was predeceased by his parents; his stepfather; his sister, Marianne Roberts; maternal Bullock family relatives, paternal Penny family relatives, and his cherished pets Blusher, Coda, Lyric, Meg, Kitty Cat, and Helmet.
A graduate of Auburn University (B.S., Economics, 1963) and Tulane University School of Law (J.D., 1967), Bob dedicated 49 years to civil litigation experience, trial and appellate divisions, mainly in federal courts, involving a broad range of subject matter including civil rights, constitutional law, employment discrimination, school desegregation, voting rights and reapportionment, labor relations, contracts and negotiation, libel and First Amendment, and many business and commercial matters. As part of various teams, he championed justice, representing individuals and classes in cases that advanced civil rights into legal precedents. His civil rights efforts in the early 1960s through 70s included support of Freedom Riders, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Tony Amsterdam's Capital Punishment Project, practice with Lawyers Constitutional Defense Committee in New Orleans, practice in association with Community Action for Legal Services, Inc., in NYC, Community Lawyer Fellowship (U. of Penn), and practice from staff attorney to Director of Litigation with National Employment Law Project, Inc., addressing systemic employment discrimination and advocating for marginalized communities. Returning to New Orleans in 1985, he continued as sole practitioner until his retirement in 2016, leaving a legacy as a compassionate and committed advocate for social justice and civil liberties.
After returning to New Orleans, Bob trained in Shotokan karate under Sensei Takayuki Mikami for 14 years and he earned the rank of San Dan, 3rd-degree black belt through rules of Japanese Karate Association/International Shotokan Karate Federation. For 13 years, he enjoyed teaching karate at Xavier University of LA and judged tournaments nationally for USA-Nat'l Karate-Do Federation (USA-NKF) affiliates. Bob loved New Orleans-its music, cuisine, and culture. Whether fishing, crabbing, preparing grillades and cheese grits, or playing piano, he found joy in the city's vibrancy and his friends. An accomplished craftsman, history enthusiast, and devoted advocate for human and animal rights, Bob's life reflected his values and his passions.
A celebration of Bob's life will be held at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal St., New Orleans, LA, on February 12, 2025, beginning at 2pm with an informal memorial service at 2:30pm, and reception to follow from 3pm-5pm. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Bob's memory to the ACLU Foundation of Louisiana (https://www.laaclu.org), Equal Justice Initiative (https://eji.org), Northshore Humane Society (https://www.northshorehumane.org), or favorite charity of choice.
Bob will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his efforts toward social justice, his warm "Good Morning!", wit, special smile, and his quiet impact on the lives of those he touched.