Richard Lee Roberts, 85, of Newton passed away on Monday, September 20, 2021, at home. The family will greet family and friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 25, at the First Baptist Church in Newton. Memorials to honor Richard may be made payable to Barry Roberts to be used for Wesley Life Hospice or a Newton School memorial.
Richard, the son of Herman and Maudie (Mullins) Roberts, was born on February 10, 1936, in Iowa City. He graduated from Dallas High School in 1954. On October 5, 1956, Richard was united in marriage with Marjorie Stubbs in Osceola. During their marriage, Richard earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from NMSU in Kirksville, MO. Richard was a teacher and coach in the Newton Schools for 30 years, retiring in 1998. He officiated high school basketball for 47 years. On August 6, 2011, Richard was united in marriage with Nancy Mitchell in Mission Viejo, California. Richard put his family above all else, but he also supported his community and church. He was passionate about sports and enjoyed traveling.
Richard is survived by his wife Nancy Roberts of Newton; children, Barry (Rita) Roberts of Adel and Rona (Mark) McMurphy of Grimes; grandchildren, Kacie (Bart) Whipps of Adel, Derek Roberts, Aaron (Ali) McMurphy of Grimes, and Kallie McMurphy of West Des Moines; great-grandchildren, Braylon Whipps, Kylie Whipps, and Blake Whipps, and Everly McMurphy; and brother Daryl Roberts of Independence. Richard was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marjorie Roberts; and siblings, Leland Roberts, Katherine Pond, Margaret Kauzlarich, Vern Roberts, Carl “Kip” Roberts, Joe Roberts, and Donald Roberts.
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