of Little Rock, AR
October 31, 1934 - May 23, 2012
Dr. Don R. Roberts, of Little Rock, who served as both director of the Arkansas Department of Education and superintendent of the Little Rock School District and for whom Roberts Elementary School is named, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's and cancer. He was 77.
Dr. Roberts embarked early on in his chosen profession as an education administrator, having been a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent by age 29. His 44-year career brought him national acclaim, including the citation by the Danforth Foundation as one of the nation's ''most highly respected educators.''
Born in McNeil to the late William and Lillian Roberts, Dr. Roberts earned his bachelor and master's degrees from Henderson State College (now University) at Arkadelphia. He interrupted his college career after 18 months to join the Marines for two years and served as a sergeant in the Korean War. He returned to HSC to complete work on his bachelor and master's degrees and in 1969, received a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He began his life's work as a teacher and coach in Weston, Oregon, and while there was promoted to principal and superintendent.
As a Danforth Foundation fellow, he studied administration in 1974 at the National Academy of School Executives.
He returned to Arkansas in 1965 as interim deputy superintendent and later as assistant superintendent under Paul Fair, leaving in 1974 to become superintendent of the Newport News, Va., schools. In 1979, he came back as head of the state Department of Education, a position he held for five years.
In 1984, the Amarillo, Texas, Independent School District appointed him superintendent but he was called to the 105,000-student Fort Worth public schools two years later, retiring in 1994.
After two years' retirement from Fort Worth, he was asked to become interim superintendent of the Little Rock District and to serve until a suitable replacement could be found.
He retired again in 2003 after having accepted appointment as director of the Arkansas Retired Teacher Association, of which he had been a lifelong member.
When chosen to be interim superintendent at Little Rock, Arkansas Business said he commanded respect ''far and wide from educators, administrators and the business community.''
After his retirement from Newport News, the Times-Herald newspaper of that city noted editorially that Dr. Roberts in four years had ''made an impact upon this community and, indeed, upon the Commonwealth as a realistic, fearless and tenacious proponent of his education principles.''
As he retired from the Little Rock School District, the Arkansas Times said he had ''produced an uncommon period of tranquility.'' And the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette called him ''a man everyone could trust, and did.''
At the dedication of the Roberts Elementary School at Taylor Loop West and Cantrell Road, Dr. Roberts gave the school its motto and guiding force, ''Always do the right thing.'' It was a rule by which he lived his own life.
Don Runyan Roberts and his wife, the former Janis Kizzia, were married 54 years ago May 17. She survives as do their three children and spouses, Don Roberts, Jr., and his wife Sandy of Maumelle, Jon Roberts and his wife Melanie of North Little Rock, and Susan Roberts Robbins and her husband John of Tyler, Texas. Grandchildren are Carly and Camryn Roberts of Maumelle, Lauren (Mrs. Jeff) McEwen, Jake and Erika Roberts of North Little Rock, and Rachel and Sam Robbins of Tyler. The McEwens' son Eric is the first and only great-grandchild.
Other survivors are a sister, Cathryn McLean of La Grand, Oregon, and many nieces and nephews.
The family expresses their gratitude and appreciation for the superb care provided by Dr. Brad Baltz, oncologist, and his staff, and to Dr. Roberts' three caregivers, Peggy Johnson, Billie Rhoden and Benita Johnson.
Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in Delight, hometown of Mrs. Roberts. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church of Little Rock, of which Dr. Roberts was a member. Presiding will be Reverends Ed Matthews and Michael Mattox.
A reception in the church gymnasium by the Bowen-Cabe Sunday School Class, Dr. Roberts' class, will follow the memorial service.
There will be a visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, May 28, 2012, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, (501)224-8300.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201, or to Alzheimer's Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
Sign Guestbook
22 Condolence(s)
Corlea Plowman
Friday, June 1, 2012
Learning from Dr. Roberts' leadership was a blessing for my future endeavors. He will be missed.
Gene and Lynn Blagg
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Expressing our deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Don Roberts. Although I did not know Dr. Roberts well, our association during his tenure as superintendent of the LRSD was a professional and guiding one during my administrative years at Southwest Junior High/Middle School. Dr. Roberts was definitely an asset to the field of education.
Pat Alardin
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Meme, I am so sorry about Don. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Lauren McEwen's "Nana"
Charlotte Kaufmen
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Imagine me, a teacher, talking with my Superintendent and his sweet wife in my classroom at Brady School! Loved that man. Loved his wife too. And....the little boy.
Prayers for all of them.
Kristina, Ke'Lon, Ke'Ron Torres
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
I am sorry, We are stundents at Roberts Elementary. We will miss you.
Deborah Cline
Monday, May 28, 2012
It is a great blessing in my life to be a teacher at Dr. Don R. Roberts Elementary. His legacy of 'Always Do The Right Thing' will be long lasting. It was a joy to meet him in person at the school. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim Jenkins
Monday, May 28, 2012
Dear Jan, I always had the greatest respect for Don when I served with him while I was on the Little Rock School Board. My prayers & thoughts are with you & your family. God's Grace is sufficient.
The Gross Family
Monday, May 28, 2012
Jan & Family,
We're so sorry to hear the news about Don. He was such a fine man & touched so many lifes for so many years. Today, Ralph & Don are sharing memories once again from their youth & college days. We pray for the entire family during this time.
Rosemary, Jeff Gross & Family
Shelly Hawkins Jefferson
Monday, May 28, 2012
I am a proud teacher at Don Roberts Elementary. I teach Pre-K. One of our classroom rules is to Always Do the Right Thing. I strive to do that in my own life as well as teach is to my own children and my classroom children. I loved seeing Dr. Roberts when he would come to the school. He actually met my daughter! Roberts Elem. will miss Dr. Roberts. My prayers go out to his family.
Dr. Kenneth and Sandra James
Monday, May 28, 2012
It was indeed a pleasure and an honor to know and work with Don. He was truly a mentor and a guide throughout my school administrative career in Arkansas, as well as a strong supporter when I became the Commissioner of Education in Arkansas.
Don was always an advocate for children and their well-being.
Bernie Freeman
Monday, May 28, 2012
The world has lost an amazing educator and I have lost a mentor, leader, and friend. Dr. Roberts had a profound influence on my career, having worked with him in Newport News as an elementary principal. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to be a part of the programs he promoted. Few folks ever have such a chance and I am forever grateful. He was a gentle giant! My heartfelt thoughts go out to Jan and her family .
kimberly lamb
Monday, May 28, 2012
it was a true privilege to get to know Mr. Roberts. Wes and I are thinking of you all and i hope you know how much we love your families
The Slimp family, Mickey, Janet, and Sara
Monday, May 28, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Clell Watts
Monday, May 28, 2012
I worked with Dr. Roberts in the LRSD from 1964~1992. Our deepest sympathy.
Clell Watts
Marguerite Peck
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Dr. Roberts was more than an Educator - I was privileged to be his secretary and he taught me so many lessons that have become lifelong goals. My prayer is that God will bless Jan, Jon, John and Susan and their children granting them the courage and wisdom to always "stand tall" and follow the rich legacy left to them by husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Love you all.
Sue (Butts) Ferguson
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Jan, my deepest sympathy to you for your loss of Don. It was so nice seeing you two after so many years. May God wrap his loving arms around you during this difficult time. Keeping you & your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Sara Edwards Yarbrough
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Jan and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you in your great loss. What a wonderful career Don had. He was President of the Student Body at HSTC my freshman year.
Sara Edwards Yarbrough
Bill and Molly Cox
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Dr. Don Roberts, his wife Jan, and their children Donnie, Jon, and Susan all made a significant impact on the Newport News, VA School District and on their community at large during Don’s years at Superintendent of Schools, 1974 – 1979. Don truly was a visionary and did not hesitate to develop and implement programs and procedures which were purposely conceived, provide outstanding staff development to the teaching and administrative staff, and then challenge all to reach for identifiable goals through the implementation of the programs. Most notably, through his leadership the Program for Effective Teaching was started and became a model for school districts elsewhere, including other states. During his tenure, the Middle School concept was developed and put in place for the district. His motives, purely and simply, was to uncover any means of improving the educational opportunities for his students. Although in Newport News only for five short years, his work brought recognition to the district and strengthened the pride and efforts of staff. It was my privilege to serve with Don as an Assistant Superintendent and to live in the same neighborhood as Don, Jan, and all our kids. We have been privileged to have them as close friends throughout all these subsequent years. May God’s Blessings be with Jan and the family as they work through this time of grief.
Charles A. Burks
Sunday, May 27, 2012
I worked in the Little Rock School District 1966~1973. I'll always remember Dr. Roberts and Jan.
Charles and Jo Ann
Gary & Louise Standridge
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Dr. Roberts made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children and educators as an extraordinary visionary educational leader. Gary and I are so blessed to have worked with Don in Newport News, VA,, Fort Worth and Amarillo TX,, and the entire state of Arkansas. He was our mentor and colleague, but especially our best friend. We will miss you greatly.
Gary & Louise Standridge
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Dr. Roberts made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children and educators as an extraordinary visionary educational leader. Gary and I are so blessed to have worked with Don in Newport News, VA,, Fort Worth and Amarillo TX,, and the entire state of Arkansas. He was our mentor and colleague, but especially our best friend. We will miss you greatly.
Dinah C. Wynns
Saturday, May 26, 2012
My sister, Jan, and I grew up with Don in McNeil. He was a sweet boy . We had spoken of him lately and wondered how he and Jan were doing, We are saddened by the news but he remains in our memories. Blessings on the family. Dinah C
Wynns