Albert ROBERTS

1927 - 2023

ROBERTS, Albert Eugene 95, a third generation St. Petersburg, Florida native, peacefully passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Al will be remembered for his love of the Lord, kind and gentle spirit, conscientious work ethic, strength of character and humor. As a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, patriot and a true gentleman, we all celebrate his presence in our lives. With a quiet humility and an unwavering faith in honesty and fairness, he guided us through the good times and the trying times. Al was born to Percy Liden and Margaret Ruth Roberts on April 26, 1927. He attended local schools and graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1945, where he served as Senior Class President. Because of WWII, he left high school early to enlist in the Navy and served in its select special electronics program until his discharge in 1946. Through the G.I. Bill, Al graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College, where again he served as class president, and later graduated with honors from the University of Florida School of Engineering. When he returned to St. Petersburg, Al began working with his father and brothers as president of P.L. Roberts Plumbing Company. He also met Nancy Turner on a blind date. They were married in 1952 and were married for 62 years until Nancy's passing in 2014. Desiring to pursue his engineering career, he took his first job with Western Electric/Bell Telephone Laboratory, as a member of their Field Engineering Force. This took his young family from Florida to three different states, beginning in 1957. Al's work here included designing the guidance system for the Titan 1. The Titan's history included high profile missions, including boosting Gemini manned spacecraft into orbit in preparation for the Apollo moon landings. Returning to St. Petersburg in 1961, Al joined Honeywell's Aerospace Division. There he began a 27 year career as a project manager for numerous projects, including the Trident submarine, the Centaur Inertial Guidance System, the SIGI Program and the development of the Stealth Fighter. Many of these projects were at the time classified and it was only later in life we learned the significance of his work. Some of Al's favorite times in his life were singing with his friends in a barbershop quartet. He was an excellent bridge player, a skilled woodworker, an accomplished bowler, loved crossword puzzles and enjoyed anything to do with covered bridges. Also, he never missed an opportunity to tell one of his favorite jokes. Al is predeceased by his parents; his wife, Nancy Turner Roberts; his two brothers, Norris and George Roberts; his sister, Charlotte Fulford Merrell; and his daughter, Kay Marie Templeton. He is survived by his son, Jeffery Roberts; daughter, Carol Roberts Morrison (Chip) of Tallahassee; and son-in-law, Gary Templeton. Also surviving are granddaughters, Jessica Templeton Williams (Nathan), Natalie Morrison Bullock (Chris), Lindsay Roberts and Ashley Roberts (Derek); and three great-grandsons, Bryce and Preston Allen and Maverick Marshall. Though we grieve the loss of our father, we are grateful he passed peacefully and we celebrate the certainty that he is held close in God's hands and will live forever in our hearts. Together with our Mom, Nancy, they instilled an unbreakable family bond. They loved us well. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 1 pm at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 738 Pinellas Point Drive S., St. Petersburg, FL 33705. A reception will follow at Bay Vista Recreation Center, Multi-purpose Room, 500 Pinellas Point Drive S. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Al's memory may be made to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church or Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home, 850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com is assisting the Roberts family with their arrangements.