Dr. Jon Roberts: A Remembrance

Below is an article on a professor at my college whom passed recently. This article will appear in my school's newspaper as well, but I felt as if it deserved a broader audience.

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 13^th 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 24^th 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.   

Throughout his life, Roberts achieved many great honors which he will be remembered by. He was a musician, a playwright, a teacher, a novelist, a poet, and a friend. Roberts may no longer be found around the STAC campus, but his memory is sure to live on within the community