Ronald T. Roberts, age 84 died on October 28 at the John Knox Village Care Center, Lee’s Summit, MO. Ron was born in Wichita, Kansas, was a graduate of Wichita High School East, the College of Emporia, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He spent his junior year of college at the University of Allahabad in India and completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary.

He served for six years in three small congregations that were part of the West Virginia Mountain Project, a national mission parish of the Presbyterian Church. He served for over 24 years at Grace Presbyterian Church in Historic Northeast Kansas City, Missouri. For the last ten years prior to retirement, he served Second Presbyterian Church in Kansas City as associate pastor.

Although retired, he served as interim pastor for four separate congregations of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ – First Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, Missouri; Westlake Christian Church in Laurie, Missouri; First Christian Church in Booneville, Missouri, and finally First Christian Church in California, Missouri.  In January of 2006, he began serving as part time Stated Supply at the Climax Springs Presbyterian Church in Climax Springs, Missouri.  He retired from that position on his 80th birthday in April of 2014.

For 37 years he was married to the late Janice (Keraus), the mother of their three children. He was then married to Kitty (Joski), the mother of his step-daughter. In retirement, Ron and Kitty resided at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.

In May of 2015, Ron fell and did severe damage to his one good eye, and moved in with his daughter-in-law, Marybeth Roberts (Andy’s widow) for a few weeks until placement could be arranged at the John Knox Village Care Center.

He is preceded in death by his wife Janice Roberts, and his son Andy Roberts. He is survived by his daughter Kathy Roberts (Bruce Elzinga) of Seattle, Washington,  daughter Ann Roberts (Dave Weigert) of Silver Spring, Maryland, daughter-in-law Marybeth Roberts of Overland Park, Kansas, brother Kent Roberts (Carol Roberts) of Liberty, Missouri/Mission, Texas, sister Sue Nispel of Wichita, Kansas, stepdaughter Melissa Schierding of Osage Beach, Missouri, six grandchildren, three step grandchildren, his wife Kitty Roberts who lives in Camdenton, Missouri, and a veritable plethora of friends.

Ron’s family recommends the following organizations for those choosing to make a memorial contribution:

Village Hospice, 1001 NW Chipman Road, Lee’s Summit, MO, 64081
Grace United Community Ministries, 801 Benton Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64124
Second Presbyterian Church, 318 E 55th St, Kansas City, MO 64113

Memorial service is Saturday, December 1st at 4:00 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, 318 E 55th, Kansas City, MO, 64113