George Samuel "Sam" Roberts

"George Samuel "Sam" Roberts passed away peacefully at his home in Baton Rouge on Monday evening, October 24, 2016. He was 98 years old. Born in Schuyler County, Missouri on July 17, 1918, Sam had lived in Baton Rouge most of his adult life. He is survived by four children: Frank (wife Anita) of Murchison, Texas, Gerald (wife Cookie) of Moss Bluff, Louisiana, David (wife Belinda) of Holmwood, Louisiana, and Beverly Bailey (husband Curt) of Baton Rouge; two sisters, Charlotte Jean Roberts of Maryknoll, New York and Carol Halloran of Golden Valley, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren; one nephew, Edward L. Gross, Jr. (wife Lois) of Plymouth, Minnesota; two nieces, Maureen (Gross) DeBruyn (husband Terry) of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Julia (Roberts) Heevner (husband Scott) of Collierville, Tennessee; and special friend, Sarah Munson of Baton Rouge. He was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Barbara Alves (Cheney) Roberts, his parents, Herman W. and Grace Ann (Graves) Roberts, his brother, R. Waldo Roberts, one son, Peter Charles Roberts, and one grandson, Robert Martin Bailey. Sam received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri in 1941 and accepted a position with Ethyl Corporation. With Ethyl, he worked his way up through various engineering and management assignments, retiring as Chief Engineer in 1980. His work included travel to many parts of the country and to several foreign countries, including England, Italy, Germany, Greece, and Japan. He became a registered professional engineer in Louisiana in 1952. In 1961, he completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He was given the "Missouri Honor Award" jointly by the University of Missouri Engineering College and the Missouri Engineering Society in 1969 for his contribution to society through engineering education and professional engineering practices. Following his father's footsteps, Sam was active in the Masons, serving as charter treasurer of a new lodge and holding membership in two other lodges. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Sam was a boy scout during his youth, earning the rank of Life Scout before his troop disbanded. As an adult, he was the first Cubmaster of Pack 56 and served in other capacities for Troop 256 and the Istrouma Area Council. Among his descendants, 12 are Eagle Scouts (so far). Sam joined the Baton Rouge Country Club in 1952 and enjoyed playing golf there well into his 80's. He also enjoyed playing other courses in other parts of the world during his travels. In his golfing career, he has scored a hole-in-one three times. He was a hunter and an avid LSU fan. Other organizations included Toastmasters, Ethyl Management Club, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and Sons of the American Revolution. Sam has studied the stock market ever since moving to Baton Rouge, investing what he could along the way. Since retiring from Ethyl, stock market analysis and investment strategy development has been close to a full-time endeavor. In connection with this, Sam became a registered financial advisor and has recruited other family members to assist with the research. Services will be held at the Rabenhorst Funeral Home East at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 29, 2016, with viewing the previous evening from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Interment will be at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in his memory would be most appreciated.