Richard (Dick) DeRoberts

Richard (Dick) DeRoberts, age 93 entered eternal life on August 18, 2024, with his family by his side. He is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Darlene and his grandson Haden. He is survived by his sons Jim (Shelly) and Jeff, daughters Nancy (Robert) and Amy (Dave), daughter-in-law Janet, grandchildren Andrew (Claire), Abigail (Natty), Allison (Ryan), Jack (Jess), Nathan, Joshua, Luke, Jake, and great grandchildren John and Rosemary. Dick was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He graduated from West High School, and went on to graduate from The Ohio State University with a degree in Business. He started his career as an Independent Insurance Agent in 1953 and founded Dick DeRoberts & Co. He served in the United States Army and retired as a Lt. Colonel. He was a founding Board Member of the Arlington Bank.

A devoted husband, a loving father, a friend to all, a mentor and guide to countless, known simply as Grandpa to a population spreading well beyond his own 9 grandchildren, kind, generous, the loudest cheerleader on the sidelines for his children and grandchildren’s’ endeavors, larger than life, a legend. Those are just a few ways to describe the man that Dick DeRoberts was and encompass the life he led. There was always, without exception, an open seat for whomever needed or wanted to sit down at the kitchen table of Dick and Darlene DeRoberts, a practice Dick continued well beyond Darlene’s passing. The coffee pot was never empty. And the conversation was never ever dull. To his grandchildren, there was never a better way to spend the day than with Grandpa. He has been the center and north star of the family. His absence will be deeply and profoundly felt by his immediate family and beyond.

Godspeed, Dad, Grandpa, Poppy, friend, mentor, pal, Dick the Man. Your legacy will remain.

There will be a private graveside service, and the family will host a Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 3:00 - 6:00 pm at 1270 Marlyn Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43220. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dick’s honor to:

The Columbus Foundation, 1234 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205, Attention: The Haden DeRoberts Foundation

Text F3344 to 614-230-0347

Go to columbusfoundation.org and search Haden DeRoberts

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741, www.michaeljfox.org/tribute