David Gardner Roberts, age 94, passed away peacefully Saturday January 23, 2016, at the home of his son, Kirk Roberts in Fairfax County, Virginia. David was born June 24, 1921, to David Ephraim Roberts and Viola Jane Gardner in Afton, Wyoming, the oldest of seven children. Additionally, he had three half-brothers and one half-sister from his father's two previously deceased wives. He married Dorothy B. Roberts in the Salt Lake Temple in 1947, and had 63 happy years together until she passed in 2010. They had four sons, 15 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren. David grew up during the depression, working hard to support his parents and brothers and sisters. He served with honor in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. Prior to the War he attended U of Wyoming and after the War attended and graduated from U of Utah. He chose a career in Social Work. He received: an MSSA from Western Reserve University at Cleveland with field work in psychiatric social work; a third year post-graduate certification in Medical Social Work at U of Chicago; and performed doctoral work at Washington U at St. Louis. From 1948-1968, he served as VA Chief of Social Services in SLC; Assistant Professor at the U of Utah Graduate School of Social Work; Director of Social Services Department at SL County General Hospital; and Director of the Social Services Department at U of Utah Medical Center. He integrated social workers into hospitals to support patient medical care, and served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Social Workers and on other boards dealing with alcoholism, medicine, and administration. In 1968, he accepted a position at U of Houston Graduate School of Social Work and later became the Acting Dean. He taught Medicine and Social Work, and Aging and Social Work; and directed the graduate students' field work. David never lost interest in the sports of his youth, wrestling and boxing. He loved learning, designed and built furniture, was an amateur photographer, and wrote three histories on the Roberts family (fathers side), Gardner family (mothers side), and his WWII experience. David lived a long life of quiet and humble service to others. Throughout he demonstrated constant love and concern for, and communicated with his extended family, friends, and those in need. He is survived by: his brother, Delaine Roberts; his sister, Deona Hobbs; his four sons Craig (Kathi), Kirk (Diane), Jeff (Tammie), and Mark (Marilyn); 12 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm at the LDS Great Falls Ward chapel on Thursday, January 28, located at 1325 Scotts Run Road, McLean Va. The funeral will be on Wednesday, February 3, at 12:00 noon with a viewing at 10:30 am in the Etna LDS Chapel in Star Valley, Wyoming.

Viewing: Wednesday February 03, 2016 10:30 AM
Funeral: Wednesday February 03, 2016 12:00 PM
Burial: Wednesday February 03, 2016 1:00 PM