Donald Eugene Roberts, age 84, died peacefully at his home in East Helena on January 6, 2016. Don was born in Helena, Montana on July 14, 1931 to Christian Alfred Roberts and Catherine Augusta Whipple Roberts. He graduated from Helena High School in 1949. Don was a train enthusiast and worked on the railroad section crew during his summers as a teen. He also worked for the Air National Guard for a time. After graduating high school he worked on the Canyon Ferry Dam project as an air hammer operator, drilling blasting holes in the rock for six months before joining the Air Force. He went to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey to become a radio technician and served in that capacity at March Field in San Bernardino, CA until his honorable discharge in 1953. He immediately returned to his beloved Helena. He worked as a typewriter repairman where he met Carmen Lewis. It was through Carmen that Don met her sister, Shirley Lewis, who became the love of his life. They were married on July 14, 1956. Don worked for the Montana Department of Fish and Game for a couple of years before taking a job at the Montana Department of Revenue where he became an accomplished computer programmer and later Bureau Chief of the Department of Revenue Data Processing Bureau. He retired from the State in 1983.
In 1958 Don was approached by a member of the Lewis & Clark School Employees Federal Credit Union to be on their Supervisory Committee. He was subsequently asked to take over as Treasurer. Don and Shirley ran the credit union out of their home at 1232 Walnut Street for six years. Don did this work in the evenings and on weekends. They moved to East Helena in 1963 and ran the credit union out of their basement until 1967 when he resigned. A couple of years later he was asked to come back as Treasurer and he accepted. He worked part-time as Treasurer and CEO until 1983 when, having retired from the state, he started working full-time. He retired from the credit union in 1995 but remained on as an active board member until 2007.
Don and his beloved wife, Shirley, enjoyed fishing, camping, shooting, and mushroom hunting together. After they married they had six children and their family hobbies became skiing trips to Grand Targhee and Bridger Bowl, as favorites, and summer vacationing at West Port and Guemes Island, WA. Don enjoyed hunting with his sons and hunting blue grouse was his favorite quarry. He was an avid reader and loved National Geographic and Woodworking magazines. In his later years he was active in the East Helena United Methodist church, serving on the Finance Committee and Staff Parish Relations Committee.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Anna Roberts and Lois Erma Roberts; wife Shirley May Roberts; and son Dana Michael Roberts. He is survived by sons Daniel Eugene Roberts (Rosemary) of Belgrade, Dirk Douglas Roberts of East Helena, Devin Joseph Roberts (Lyn) of East Helena, and daughters Marcee Jane Roberts Allen of East Helena, and Christi Michelle Brinda (Dean) of Missoula. Don and Shirley have nine grandchildren and seven great grand children with another one on the way.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 11th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12th at the East Helena United Methodist Church, 50 N. Prickly Pear Ave. A graveside service will follow at the East Helena Cemetery. A reception will follow the graveside service in the social center of the church. Memorials in Don’s name are suggested to Intermountain Children’s Home, 3240 Dredge Dr. Helena, MT 59602.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday January 11, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday January 11, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 12, 2016
East Helena United Methodist Church
50 N. Prickley Pear Ave.
East Helena, Montana 59636
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Tuesday January 12, 2016
East Helena City Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59636
Reception
Following the graveside service
Tuesday January 12, 2016
East Helena United Methodist Church
50 N. Prickley Pear Avenue
East Helena, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday January 11, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday January 11, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday January 12, 2016
East Helena United Methodist Church
50 N. Prickley Pear Ave.
East Helena, Montana 59636
Graveside Service
Following the funeral service
Tuesday January 12, 2016
East Helena City Cemetery
East Helena, Montana 59636
Reception
Following the graveside service
Tuesday January 12, 2016
East Helena United Methodist Church
50 N. Prickley Pear Avenue
East Helena, Montana 59636
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Rob Freistadt says
I have fond memories of Don since the late 1970’s. I remember the honesty and kindness that he and Shirley always kept that helped to make this community a better place. His hard work helped so many people with his devotion to the credit union and to the State of Montana. I enjoyed his loyalty as a friend and his lust for skiing in our many trips to Grand Targhee. I’ll remember him fondly and appreciate the impressions he gave me over the years.
Joseph Zimmerman says
Don and Shirley set a very high standard for the next generations. Don was a noble and trustworthy man, His word when spoken could always be relied upon. I will always cherish our friendship which over the eighty years. God bless the Roberts family.
Joseph Zimmerman, Mary Zimmerman (deceased Oct.4, 2014 and family (Mike, Terry, Vince, Karen & Jeff)
Jack Smith says
I knew Don as a very good friend in High School. He had so much pride in his Model B Ford with a rumble seat. I also worked at Canyon Ferry Dam construction. I remember Don there, but I worked at the carpenter shop. Don made more per hour than I did. We teased each other about that. I have nothing but good memories of Don during the early 50’s.
Bud Romey says
Don & Shirley have been super neighbors since I moved next to them, I have missed Shirley an now Don. They will be in my memory for the rest om my life an will see them in heaven when it’s my time.
Bill Dolan says
Mr. Roberts was a truly great man. I always felt welcome at the Robert’s home. Dirk and Dan were and always will be life long friends. We grew up when people had time for each other and you listened and learned from your elders. I wish my children could have grown up around Mr. and Mrs. Roberts and enjoyed running through the streets of East Helena. I’ll always remember listening to Johnny Horton on the Roberts’ stereo before anyone else had the “hi-fi” system. It saddens me that I can’t be there for the family, especially Dirk who was so kind to me and my brothers when my Mom passed. Mr. Roberts was also very kind to us during our tough time. I think about you all the time Dirky, and I would like to hear from you. Maybe we could organize an East Helena reunion some day. My brothers and I send our thought and prayers. Bless all of you, Bill Dolan
Yvonne & Gary Hufford says
We are so sorry to learn of your loss Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kelly keilman says
I am grateful to have had neighbors like Don and Shirley. Please know your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Kelly Keilman
Val Flansaas says
Condolences from Earl Fred