Robert Lee "Bob" Roberts

Longtime educator and Cherokee Nation citizen Robert Lee (Bob) Roberts passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in Leawood, Kansas.
Bob was born in Pawhuska, Oklahoma on October 14, 1939. He loved his hometown and had a wonderful childhood. He grew up attending the First Baptist Church and enjoyed all school activities, especially sports. Bob was a member of the football, basketball, baseball and track teams. He graduated from Pawhuska High School in 1957.
Following graduation, Bob attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah where he majored in education and played football. In 1958, he was a member of the NAIA National Championship Football Team. In the title game, the NSU Redmen defeated Arizona State University at Flagstaff, 19-13, in the Holiday Bowl. The game was played in St. Petersburg, Florida and aired on CBS. Bob graduated from NSU, with a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1962.
Bob served his country for six years as he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 1963. He attended basic training at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and served several Summers at Camp Pendleton in California. He served in the 2nd Battalion, Company 1, Platoon 279. During his service years, he achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant, was a designated M-14 Sharpshooter and was a Good Conduct Medal Recipient. Bob rarely missed a Memorial Day or Veterans Day ceremony or event.
Bob and the love of his life, Shirley, met on a blind date. They were married in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma on June 4, 1965. That Summer, the couple moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where Bob earned a Masters of Science Degree in Education from Colorado State University.
Bob's career in public education spanned more than three decades. He taught and coached for one year at Olive and Owasso High Schools before beginning a 30+ year stint in Tulsa Public Schools at Memorial and Webster High Schools. During his career, he served many roles including that of a teacher, coach, counselor, and administrator. Bob's most significant accomplishment as an educator was the countless relationships he developed with students, fellow staff members and stakeholders throughout the years. Bob had the "gift of gab" and rarely did he meet a stranger.
In retirement, Bob enjoyed family time, attending and worshiping at the Pawhuska First Methodist Church and supporting his favorite teams: the Pawhuska Huskies and the Northeastern State University Redmen/Riverhawks.
In 2007, Bob was inducted into the Northeastern State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Two years later, he served as the NSU Athletic Association President. In 2013, he was inducted into the Pawhuska High School Basketball Hall of Fame. That same year, the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission presented Bob with the Jim Thorpe Sports Excellence Award.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Faye Roberts, and brothers Lee and Ray Roberts. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley, his two sons Matt (Sevan) and Monte (Jenny), three grandchildren: Alexandra, Sophia and Henry, his sister Judy and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, you can make donations to the Pawhuska Public Schools Education Foundation or the Northeastern State University Athletic Alumni Association.
Services are scheduled for 10 AM, Monday, May 12, at the Pawhuska Methodist Church.
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