Thomas David Roberts

1935 - 2025

Thomas David Roberts, 90, died peacefully of old age at home in the hills of Fairbanks over Memorial Day Weekend. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, U.S. Army veteran, and loyal friend.

Tom was born in New York City in 1935 to Welsh-German immigrants. His family relocated to rural New Jersey in 1951 where he worked as an apprentice mechanic full-time while completing high school. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and later attended the University of Alabama on the G.I. Bill. It was there that he met his future wife, Jo, when he and his roommate decided to play a prank by opening music practice room doors and doing a silly skit. They opened one door to find Jo playing the violin. After they performed the skit and the door closed, my father looked at his roommate and said, "I'm going to marry that girl." And three months later he did.

Tom received a Ph.D. in applied physics from Oregon State University and in 1964 joined what is now the National Institute of Science and Technology in Boulder, Colorado. Tom fulfilled his life-long desire to live in Alaska when in 1966 the family packed all their belongings into a Plymouth Valiant and traveled up the Alcan. Tom often said that his first impression of Fairbanks was seeing a gun turret on top of a South Cushman bar. He instantly felt at home, saying, "I stayed because Fairbanks was the first place I lived where I felt like I was the sane one."

Tom taught physics and electrical engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks for 30 years, and developed a reputation as a dynamic and well-respected teacher. He also did research, helped set up Alaska's early satellite infrastructure, and eventually served as director of the Institute of Northern Engineering. He enjoyed fishing, amateur radio (KL7TR), and classical music.

Tom was proud of his military service and of the contributions he made to building the young state of Alaska. He was a one-of-a-kind person - big, strong, loud, embracing all of life's craziness, and he leaves behind a deeply loving legacy. We all miss him very much.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Martha Josephine Baker Roberts; his children, Lynneth Lohse, Evan Roberts (Sachi), Dr. Eiluned Hogenson (Kirk), and daughter-by-friendship, Diane "Bunny" Fleeks; his grandchildren, Ehren Lohse (Elizabeth Hughes-Hageman), Megan Joseph (Tacoma), Rose Hogenson, Joe Hogenson, and Ko, Tsubasa, Tomo, Michi, Emi, and Mei Roberts; and his great-grandchildren, Olivia England, Caleb Joseph, Rowan Hughes-Hageman, Geneva Joseph, and Thomas and Everett Lohse.