John G. Roberts Jr.

John G. Roberts Feb. 26, 1929- Nov. 21, 2024 Dr. John G. Roberts, a lifelong educator who deeply loved his family and the natural world, dies at 95. After living a long and remarkable life, John “Jack” Roberts died on November 21, 2024, held by the love of his family near and far. The son of John G. Roberts Sr. and Ruth (Long) Roberts, Jack was born on February 26, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. The stories Jack returned to most when remembering his childhood are his Summers spent working on the family farm in Ohio and his formative years studying across the river at Assumption School in Windsor, Ontario. Jack credits his time in parochial school for his love of history and vault of memorized poems from Shakespeare to Service. Jack returned to Detroit to finish his studies and graduate from Highland Park High School in 1947 before going on to study at Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University). After earning his undergraduate degree in 1951, Jack served his country for two years as a colonel with the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. Jack returned to Detroit in 1953. That Fall, he married the love of his life, Virginia Keller. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary together on November 14th, 2024. Passionate about a life of service, Jack and Virginia built their lives as educators in Detroit Public Schools. Always the athlete with an incredible ability to organize activities—skills that no doubt aided him and Virginia while directing Summer camps in northern Michigan early in their marriage–Jack began his career as a physical education teacher in addition to refereeing countless youth football and basketball games. One fond memory of Jack’s career was his contribution to an experimental teaching project as an “on camera teacher” on Channel 56. Following years of night school, Jack would go on to earn both his Master’s and PhD in education from Wayne State University, which led him to his first Assistant Principal position at Russell Elementary in 1961. Jack spent the last 16 years of his career as Principal of McKenny Elementary until his retirement in 1989. As much as Jack devoted his energy to the futures of the thousands of students who moved through the schools he helped lead and his years of leadership on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army’s Edwin Denby Children’s Home, it is without question Jack was most proud of his family. Jack and Virginia raised three daughters, Susan, Nancy, and Karen—their deepest joys. To have known and loved Jack, is to have learned how to be a better human—more thoughtful, more generous, and more curious. And there was no better place to learn from Jack how to live and love this world than at the cottage he and Virginia built in Cheboygan, along the shore of Mullett Lake and beside their lifelong friends Bill and Ruth MacPhee. It is here that Jack and Virginia formed some of their most cherished memories, sharing their love of nature and the serenity of cottage life with all who came to visit. Included in these memories are joyous Summers catching fish, teaching kids to waterski, and idyllic sunsets night after night. It is also here that a red maple grows in honor and memory of their first daughter Susan. Among birches, this maple grows as a tribute to a loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother. While Jack’s career is defined as a teacher, he was first and foremost a student. Jack was always learning, whether through his love of reading, taking up a new skill in woodcarving, or finding the best spots in Mullett Lake or streams in Ontario to fish. Jack’s limitless curiosity propelled him and Virginia to travel widely across the United States. With the company of dear friends Ray and Lucy Ernatt and Jack and Virginia Webber, they visited many National Parks, always making time to befriend each park ranger they encountered. It is hard to be anything but grateful to have had Jack for as long as we did. While his legacy of care and resilience will live on, we will think of him every day. Jack is survived by his wife, Virginia Roberts, his daughters and sons-in-law Dr. Nancy Roberts, Karen and Joe Meaney, Jeffrey Moore and Mari Anne Guidobono, and his nine grandchildren Andrew (Virginia), Robbie (Meghan), Elisabeth (Lauren), Michael, Stephanie, Natalie, Susie, Collin, and John. Jack is also survived by his brothers-in-law Dr. Norman Keller and Arnold Keller and their children Alison, Kurt (Pam), Eric (Lori), and Renee (Lorne). Jack is preceded in death by his beloved daughter Susan. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to the Mullett Lake Area Preservation Society in Cheboygan, MI, a cause Jack donated to throughout his life, and the Children’s Center in Detroit, MI.

John G. Roberts Jr.

February 26, 1929 - November 21, 2024