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.