Robert Charles Roberts

Robert Charles Roberts, age 80 of Lynchburg, VA, died on November 1, 2021 at VCU Health in Richmond, VA from heart complications.

Born in Lexington, KY on December 19, 1940 to Mary Alice Schnacke and John Bissell Roberts, Robert was graduated from Lafayette High School, received both his Bachelor’s and Master‘s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky, and continued post-graduate work at Virginia Tech.

Robert worked for Engineered Devices Company in Lexington, KY; General Electric in Salem, VA; Babcock and Wilcox in Lynchburg, VA; and Science Application International Corporation in Lynchburg, VA. He was awarded multiple patents for both electrical and nuclear engineering. In 1990, Robert created his own company, Electrical Design and Manufacturing (EDM), a company that promoted community and used ingenuity to develop electrical parts. EDM continues to operate today as an employee-owned company.

In 1968, Robert married Leslie Anderson Seyfried in Houston, TX. They were married for 31 years. He is survived by his four children; John David Roberts and wife Jill Walker Roberts (Missoula, MT), Katherine Roberts Murphy and husband Daniel Joseph Murphy (Eldersburg, MD), Elisabeth Bissell Norton and husband Christopher Brian Norton (Charlotte, NC), and Steven Barrow Roberts and wife Danielle Heinzman Roberts (Richmond, VA). His grandchildren include Logan, Nathan, Landon, Jason, James, Isabel, Alexis, Ella, and Barrow.

In 2000, Robert married Cary Turner in Atlanta, GA after their meeting in Portugal on an Elderhostel trip, and welcomed her children John Douglas Walsh, Timothy Alan Walsh, and William Hagood Turner, Jr. to his family. Robert and Cary enjoyed traveling and learning about other cultures. No matter the weather or location, if a beach were nearby, Robert would build a sand castle. Locally, they were active in the arts community, enjoying theater and music activities.  Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Robert was an Elder, was a significant part of his life.

Robert was also an active member of a variety of charitable communities that include the Rotary Club, Boys and Girls Club of America, Habitat for Humanity, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, Rebuilding Together, Salvation Army, United Way, and the Academy Center of the Arts.  He also participated in Presbyterian mission work in Embangweni, Malawi, Africa for many years.

Robert was a Scoutmaster and created exciting and authentic experiences for many to enjoy. He spent innumerable hours with his children traveling or doing a wide variety of activities including camping, repairing anything, and creating ridiculous science projects. In addition to his strong desire to spend time with family and serve the community, Robert also formed many special friendships and relationships. He will always be remembered as a thoughtful, generous, inquisitive, and adventurous person.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife, Cary Turner Roberts (Lynchburg, VA) and his brother John Bissell Roberts, Jr. and wife Linda Ridge Roberts (Prospect, KY).

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Mary Alice Schnake, John Bissell Roberts, and his loving sister Barbara Jean Schrading, 1997, who is survived by her husband Paul E. Schrading and their family.

Visitation will occur November 12 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Tharp Funeral Home. The Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 PM, November 13 at Westminster Presbyterian Church followed by a graveside burial at the Presbyterian Cemetery. A reception will follow at Oakwood Country Club. All locations are in Lynchburg, VA.

The family kindly requests that everyone follow Covid-19 regulations and wear a mask, and that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a local charity of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg is assisting the family.

Click here to view Robert’s tribute video