WILLIAM "Art" ROBERTS

1942 - 2021

ROBERTS William Arthur Roberts "Art" Passed away peacefully at a Maryland hospital on August 9, 2021, with his daughters by his side. He was 79. Born February 27, 1942 to Lyle Roberts, a contractor, and Jane Stevens Roberts, Chairperson of the Dade County School Board, Art was raised in Coral Gables, FL. Later, he attended Gordon Military Academy in Georgia before being honorably discharged. A life-long Cane, he graduated from the University of Miami in 1964 with a BBA degree in business. It was also there that he met the love of his life, Roselee Nichols. Upon graduation they married and moved to Reston, VA, where he began a long career, representing, over time, Native American tribes, colleges, universities, transportation entities, corporations, and local governments. Art and Roselee left Reston and moved to Washington, DC in 1983, living many active years there before retiring to St. Michaels, Maryland in 2004. Art began his D.C. career in the executive branch and on Capitol Hill. There, he worked in the Office of Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and as Legislative Director to the late Congressman Claude Pepper (D-FL). Afterwards, he transitioned to the private sector and served as Director of Government Services for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation where he marketed products and services to U.S. and foreign government entities. Art was the recipient of the Westinghouse Special Award, the company's highest honor for individual achievement. He left Westinghouse to become Senior Vice President of The Keefe Company, a government policy firm. After The Keefe Co., Art joined The Jefferson Group, which later would become Jefferson Government Relations during his tenure. During his three decades at Jefferson, Art helped secure funding for transportation, infrastructure, and educational requests. In 2004, Art and Roselee founded The Advocate Company- a successful government consulting company that represented clients in both the public and private sectors. Art was an active participant in the educational, arts, civic, and business communities. He was a founding member of the University of Miami's President's Council, a member of the Corcoran Gallery of Art's Board of Trustees, and an Advisory Board Member for a community bank. Surviving Art are his daughters, Elizabeth (Libby) Roberts Holah and her husband, Greg, who have an architectural firm; and granddaughters Olivia and Violet Holah, all of Portland, Ore; and Leigh Roberts Melton, an attorney and University of Richmond law professor, and husband, John, an educator; granddaughter Harper and grandson Hunter Melton, all of Farmville, VA. He also leaves behind three sisters, Nancy Pankey, Ann Goldman, and Margaret McMahon all of Miami, FL. Art is predeceased by his parents and wife. Art leaves behind an empty space in the lives of many, but also a legacy- enough stories to fill his void, friends to stand in his absence, and kindness to top off all our hearts. A celebration of life will follow in May 2022 with details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the William A. Roberts, B.B.A '64 and Roselee N. Roberts, A.B. '64 Endowed Scholarship at the University of Miami. The Scholarship was created by Art, originally as a tribute to his wife. Following his passing, it stands as his final advocation for one more worthy cause. Please send your contribution to the University of Miami, P.O. Box 025388, Miami, FL 33102-9811 and write the name of the fund in the memo line. Gifts can also be made online at https://development.miami.edu/https">development.miami.edu/https://development.miami.edu/