John B. Roberts, age 93, of Rydal, PA, passed away on March 8, 2012 at the Rydal Park Nursing Care Center. He was the beloved husband of Agnes (Frank) Roberts. Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, he was the son of the late John & Evelyn (Buckley) Roberts. Mr. Roberts was a Navy Veteran,having worked as a Navy broadcaster during World War II. Prior to retiring, Mr. Roberts was a professor & Dept. head at Temple University. On weekends, he worked as a news commentator for WFIL in Philadelphia, PA. He was the founder of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. Roberts received his Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University in 1940 and the next year earned his Masters degree at the University of Iowa. He joined the teaching staff at Temple University in 1946 and taught there for 42 years. Previous to that, he taught at the University of Maine. John was one of the co-founders of WHYY (both TV and Radio) and the School of Communications and Theater at Temple University. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame in 1996 and was our Person of the Year in 1987. Roberts was President of this organization during 1992 through 1994 and our Chairman of the Board from 1994 to 1996. He had served on our board of directors for a quarter of a century.
Besides his wife of PA, he is survived by several nieces and nephews, and was the brother of the late Gordon Roberts.
His funeral will be held from the MANUEL ROGERS & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 1521 N. Main St., Fall River on THURSDAY at 8:00 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church at 9:00 A.M. Interment in St. Patrick Cemetery, Fall River. THERE ARE NO SEPARATE CALLING HOURS. Since John so loved college student, his wife, Agnes, has asked in lieu of flowers that contributions be made in John's memory to: The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, Scholarship Fund, PO Box 2886, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.