Keith Dale Roberts

Keith Roberts passed peacefully from this life on November 29, 2012. Born in 1935, he lived nearly all his life in Kalamazoo. He was retired from Western Michigan University. He was a baseball enthusiast who became a professional scout, first for the Tigers, and then for the Seattle Mariners. An early and enduring baseball memory was from 1947, when his brother, community activist Duane Roberts, took him to Wrigley field in Chicago to see the Cubs play the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was Keith's first major league game, and he saw Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the major leagues. Keith recognized and encouraged sports talent in many young people, including Derek Jeter, and his brother Wilbur's sons, one of whom, Leon Roberts, went on to play major league baseball. Keith was a descendent of Enoch and Deborah Harris, early African American pioneers in Oshtemo Township. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Vera, his brothers Duane and Wilbur, and by his sister, Barbara. He is survived by his nieces Angelica Roberts (Francis Bilancio) and Gwendolyn (Royce) Wiggington; his nephews Leon (Pam) Roberts, William (Cari) Roberts, Rodney (Rose) Roberts, and Mark (Verna) Roberts; by many great and great great nieces and nephews, and by loyal friends. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place, and there will be no memorial service. To benefit KPS graduates, memorial gifts may be made to the Kalamazoo Community Foundation for the Duane Roberts Scholarship and mailed to Kalamazoo Community Foundation, 151 South Rose, Suite 332, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.