Duane Roberts

DUANE "DUDE" ROBERTS Click here to view Duane's Video Tribute IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Duane Clarence Roberts, 76, of Idaho Falls, died March 14, 2009, at his home after a courageous battle with a long-term illness. He was under the loving care of his immediate family and Idaho Home Health and Hospice. He was born April 27, 1932, in Nampa, Idaho, to Elmer Clarence Roberts and LeOra Fern Schenck Roberts. He attended local schools, graduated from Nampa High School, and was an avid athlete. Duane captured the Idaho State Golf Championship in 1949. The following year, he was a senior forward on the first ever Nampa High School Basketball team to win the Idaho State Championship in 1950. He went on to attend Boise Junior College and Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado. He enlisted in the U. S. Army and, after graduating from Officer Candidate School, served his country for two years. Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he continued to serve in the Army National Guard in Longmont, Colorado. He married Shirley Margaret Ann Periman on July 14, 1956, in Denver, Colorado. They later moved to Ontario, Oregon, and then to Idaho Falls, where they have resided since. Early in his career, Duane owned his own truck brokerage business. He later became employed as the General Manager at the Stardust Motel for 20 years, and also served on the Urban Development Committee for the Downtown area of Idaho Falls. He was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church. Duane became very active in the church when his daughter was about 5 years old. Duane would work an all night job, get home about 6 am, where Janis was waiting, and they would go to early Sunday mass together. For a special treat, Duane would always take her to Smitty's Pancake House for German Pancakes every week after church. Duane was very civic oriented, particularly when his children were growing up. He was the co-founder of the Idaho Golf Association (IGA) and coordinated several IGA golf tournaments in the state. He was one of the original founders/supporters of the Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Association (IFYHA), spending countless nights at 2 a.m. spraying sheets of ice with a fire hose so that the kids would have a rink to play hockey on the next day. Duane continued to watch his two grandsons with great enthusiasm as they each progressed through 14 years in the IFYHA. He took great pride in how the community has continued to grow and support the hockey program. In addition, Duane was very involved in the little League Baseball and the American Legion Baseball Program. He was an active member of the Elk's Lodge for many years. Duane loved the competition and personal development that sports offered. It was his first love. He especially enjoyed golf and basketball. Duane had a thirst for knowledge on a broad array of topics. He was an avid reader. Duane particularly relished music from the 40s and 50s. One of Duane's greater thrills was teasing his young grandkids by attempting to get them to say tongue twisters; which usually came out precisely in the inappropriate way their grandpa had hoped. Duane had a marvelous sense of humor, was a relentless tease, was incredibly kind and generous, and dearly loved by his family and friends. We will miss you so very much Husband, Daddy, Grandpa, and Dude. You made our life a better place. He is survived by Shirley, his wife of 52 years; his daughter, Janis Lynne (Steve) Sherick, of Idaho Falls, ID; his son, Gregory Scott Roberts, of Spokane, WA; three grandchildren, Robert Spencer Sherick, Dylan Wayne Sherick, both of Idaho Falls, ID, and Sydney Jane Roberts of Spokane, WA; and Sister-In-Law, Naomi Roberts of Idaho Falls, ID. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Harold B. Roberts. Memorial Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, with Deacon Alvaro Ponce of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to services on Tuesday. Following services, military rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and the Idaho Honor Guard. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: LeAnn Emery My heart and prayers go out to you. Kay Paxton Shirley & family, I am so very sorry for your loss. God Bless you. Jean Hersley Janis, Sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.