U.S. Army veteran with an adventurous spirit
Published April 4, 2019
NORTH READING — Richard A. “Dick” Roberts, 86, of North Reading and formerly of Reading, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 30, 2019, after a lengthy illness.
Born in Reading on February 16, 1933, he was the son of the late William and Mary J. (Quinn) Roberts. He was raised in Reading and was a graduate Reading High School. Dick was a U.S. Army veteran; he was a SP-3 and served from 1955 to 1957.
He worked at the Watertown Arsenal as a draftsman and machinist, the Department of Defense in Andover, and as an Industrial Technician for NASA in Cambridge.
Dick can only be described as standup guy. A man’s man who will be dearly missed and never be forgotten, because he made the world a better place being in it. Dick was an adventurous spirit who loved a challenge, whether it was a Sudoku puzzle at home or climbing a mountain. He was also always available to be there for his friends and family. He was full of life, donating much of his time and effort to many charities including St. Jude’s and veterans of war. Dick built all the planters and bird feeders on his deck, which he also he built. He had been a resident of North Reading for the past 30 years and was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
Family members include his loving wife of 20 years, Kathleen J. (Woods) Roberts; sons, Steven, Michael and Chris Roberts, Richard and Paul Madison; his late daughter, Darlene Roberts; grandchildren, Ashley, Jack, Drew, Morgan, Ricky, Paul and Nicholas Madison, Devin, Steven and Jennifer Roberts and Heather Lisano; great-grandchildren, Jackson Pagones, Logan Clifford, Ella and Ava Lisano; late brothers and sisters, William Jr., Neil, Donald, Kenneth and Ronald Roberts, Mary V. Nickerson, Marjorie Greenleaf and Claire Partridge; and many nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Thursday, April 4 at 8:45 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St. (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours were held on Wednesday, April 3. Burial in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to Wounded Warriors Project, (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). To leave an online condolence please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
