Dr. Roberts Remembered
Within the month of April, there
was a loss of a great life at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY. Dr. Jon Roberts, a
beloved professor and co-worker, passed suddenly over the weekend of the 13th
at the age of 51. A man of high intellect and humor that not only taught
on campus, but truly mentored students and co-workers alike for 17 years will
be greatly missed.
Jon I. Roberts, or Jack as he was
known among his friends and family. As a child,
Roberts was always curious and inquisitive about the world around him. Roberts
became an Eagle Scout in his youth, a fact that he thought would surprise many
of his colleagues and students.
Roberts attended the University of Chicago to
obtain his undergraduate degree in Chemistry. However, after leaving his
undergraduate career and seeking a graduate education, Roberts made the switch
from sciences to humanities, even after being accepted into medical school. Roberts always had a passion for writing and
English, so he pursued a MA and Ph.D. in that field at Rutgers University.
As Roberts continued his
education and professional career, he also took time to write and translate poetry.
Roberts translated many Hungarian poems into English in addition to writing his
own poems. Many of his poems appeared in publications such as Sites, Boulevard, Tar
River Poetry Review, and the Occupation Wall Street Poetry Anthology. He also had a poem, "Dream Fox" featured on http://www.versedaily.org/2007/dreamfox.shtml. His
poem “The New Reform” was even selected to appear in Best American Poetry 1991.
Roberts joined the faculty of
STAC just a few years later in 1995. He taught a variety of classes at the
college, but his specialization encompassed work in the English Elizabethan
Age. Roberts was an avid admirer of Shakespeare and considered his works among
his favorites in an interview held a few months prior to his passing.
Other notable classes that
Roberts taught on campus included his class on Chaucer, English Honors courses,
and literary courses. Roberts found great joy in teaching and even brought that
attitude overseas; Roberts was a Fulbright Scholar to Hungry. Roberts held his
students in the highest esteem. Many students are sure to miss such an
intelligent professor, but will always keep his memory alive. Students will
especially always remember the funny quips, known as Robertisms, which he would
say during class.
For the past few years, Roberts
was working on expanding his fiction writing in addition to teaching. His short
story “The Watchman” won a prize from the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference.
Roberts was currently working on a novel before his passing.
A memorial was be held at St.
Thomas Aquinas College on April 24th at 2:45 in the library. The memorial
was a celebration of Roberts’ life and honored the great impact that he had
on many of his students. Both faculty and students reflected upon Dr. Roberts' life.
