In Memory of Richard Eugene Roberts Sr.
OCTOBER 28, 1955 – OCTOBER 2, 2020
October 28, 1955 ~ October 2, 2020 (age 64) Richard Eugene Roberts, Sr., fondly called Rick by family and friends, Rich to his professional associates, passed away at his residence in Waldorf, MD on Friday October 2, 2020 with his loving wife, Georgi by his side.
Rick was born in Arizona on October 28, 1955 to Dolores Rocco and is survived by his parents Dolores Rocco Clark and Gary Clark of NJ, beloved wife Georgianne (Estevez) Roberts of MD, his children Jennifer (Roberts) Burden, Richard E. Roberts, Jr., Paul Aurilia and Jason Aurilia all residing in NJ; siblings Greg Roberts of OH, Linda (Roberts) Madding of HI, Cheryl (Roberts) Aurilia of NC, Michael Roberts of FL and Tommy Clark of NJ, 9 grandchildren, his favorite uncle Tommy Rocco in PA and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.
He was predeceased by the mother of his children, Ann Marie Kubas and his granddaughter Amy Burden.
Ricky grew up in a military family living in AZ, PA, CA, TN, and spent many summers at the beach with his cousin Dennis and grandfather Rocco in NJ. He and his cousin were buddies on the streets of South Philly, PA. Rick loved God and all His creation. He spent a teenage summer in the wilderness of the San Bernadino mountains, one with nature meeting up with mountain lions, sidewinder snakes and all the dangers. He met with native Indians and they fed him. Rick had the ability to communicate with animals in a way they understood. To his stepfather's dismay, he fed stray cats in the city while living in PA.
While in Nashville TN he was a security policeman, a fire fighter and a medic and had met many of the local country stars including Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton. He worked in PA for a steel mill, later started a painting business in NJ until he went back to school for computer science. He worked in NY as a technical contractor, later for IBM, then contactor to the FAA until he was offered a permanent position with the FAA as technical advisor. He was still a federal employee when he passed, hoping to retire at the end of this month.
He met his beloved wife in December of 2008 and they were married in Washington,DC on September 11, 2010 on the Potomac river cruise ship, The Spirit of Washington.
Rick had a "heart of gold" and would give anyone the shirt off his back if he thought they needed it. He loved astronomy, technical science and was always working on some type of electronic or technical project. He loved the mountains and hiking, fishing in the ocean, lakes and streams. Rick was a member of the Warbirds online community, IEEE Technical and various other technical and engineering forums. He had a Ham radio license to operate his drone.
Richard's remains are being cremated and due to COVID19 there will be no visitation, only a simple ceremony at Huntt Funeral Home in Waldorf MD for family. A celebration of his life will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Hospice of Chesapeake.