Walter David Roberts

Walter David Roberts, 90, died, January 24, 2016 at Lynchburg General Hospital after a short illness. He is survived by his devoted wife of thirty-six years, Joan Campbell Roberts.

Born the youngest child of the late Helen Carey Roberts and Charles Roberts Sr., in Phillipsburg, New Jersey on January 13, 1926. He was predeceased by his siblings; James Douglas Roberts, Charles Roberts Jr., Edgar Roberts, and his sister Jean Adele Roberts.

Raised in a loving and supportive family, Walter loved playing and coaching football, studying rocks, and became a Lutheran around ten years of age.

At 17 years of age he registered for the Army during WWII, at eighteen was drafted and wound up in Germany. His best friend was killed in that war and Walt decided he wanted to make positive contributions with his life since it was spared.

In 1950 he graduated from Muhlenberg College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geology and attended Lehigh University graduate school.

From 1950-1951 while still in school, he was a geologist for the Copley Cement Company, Copley, Pennsylvania. From 1952-1957 he went to work at St. Joseph’s Lead Company, Bon Terre, Missouri as a surveyor-geologist trainee; rising to a senior position as a staff geologist for 3 mines which produced a million tons a year of lead-zinc ore. He found enough ore from one of the mines to extend its’ life 8 yrs., when all others had said “There’s nothing there. Close it.”

In 1957 he went with La Clede-Christy Division, St. Louis, Missouri as a Director of Exploration and Mining for Alabama, Missouri, Illinois Company.

From 1957-1961 he went with Petrobras- the Brazilian Oil Company. Main office being Rio De Janero, Brazil. This created a new challenge as he was a party chief exploration geologist looking for oil and gas in the amazon jungle.

From 1962-1963 (about a year) he became an exploration geologist looking for lead-zinc deposits for Amex (American Metals Climax Inc. ) which merged twice with Cypress Minerals and lately with Phelps Dodge.

From 1963-1967 Mr. Roberts went to South Korea as an economic mining geologist for Pierce Management Corporation, Scranton, Pennsylvania. (economic geologist means he put “ rocks and dollars together”).

His duties were exploration, development and production for the coal mining industry for the South Korean government and the private coal mining industry of South Korea. He found in this challenge 30 years’ worth of new coal for the country and much appreciation.

From 1967-1981 he worked as a consulting economist geologist, evaluating properties and looking for ore including uranium, nickel, etc. He worked with utilities and private companies and traveled the continental U.S. including Alaska and Canada.

From 1971-1975 his works included Manager of Uranium at B&W in Lynchburg where with all of his knowledge and experience he helped them make money. One million dollars, he made one day, for example and as the other employees said, “ just sitting and staring out the window.”

A fighter, he lived more than 36 years with one lung after cancer. He never met a stranger and loved people. He was a positive thinker. He had a generous spirit, was a true salesman and was always saying to people “Never say I can’t”, and “Think. It may be a new experience.”

He was devoted to family. His hobbies included collectibles, keeping up with college and pro football, Duke Basketball, and reading on a number of subjects.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date according to his wishes. Thanks to all the help he received at Lynchburg General Hospital, especially to nurse Brandy who arranged transportation through the snow.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.