Obituary of C. Kenard Roberts

C. Kenard Roberts, 90, quietly passed away in his sleep at his home in Basking Ridge, NJ on May 19, 2020. Roberts was born and raised in Storm Lake, Iowa where he graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1947. He began his collegiate studies in Pre-Commerce at the Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, IA before transferring to his beloved State University of Iowa where he earned two degrees (BS Commerce, 1951 and BS Mechanical Engineering, 1958). He enjoyed a 36 year career as a packaging engineer spending the last 16 years as a Senior Packaging Engineer for Stanley Tools, New Britain, CT where earned two United States and one Canadian patents for packaging. Upon retirement, he moved from his home in Clinton, CT to Green Valley, AZ where he resided for 23 years before spending his final years in Basking Ridge, NJ. Roberts was a proud member of the Pi Tau Sigma and Delta Sigma Pi fraternities while in Iowa City, IA, Green Valley (AZ) Elks Lodge 2592 and was a Mason for over 50 years. He was known for his love of his family, passion for barbershop harmony, golf, photography, Big Band records and his unwavering devotion to the University of Iowa ... once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye! He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth, son Christoper (Nancy) Roberts of San Jose, CA, daughter Amy (Rich) Dewling of Basking Ridge, NJ, son Douglas (Deb) Roberts of Hebron, CT and daughter Susan (David) Giacalone of Ellington, CT. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Ryan (Michelle) Roberts, Kara Roberts, Kaitlin and Madison Malloy, Patrick and Kyle Roberts, and Jenni and Dani Giacalone along with two great grandchildren and nieces and nephews, Barbara (Gerry) Pittard, Steve (Mary) Miller, Dick (Marty) Miller and Maryann Miller. He is predeceased by his sister and brother-in law Helen (Roberts) and John Miller. Roberts' family will hold a private celebration of his life this summer. In lieu of flowers, the Roberts family requests consideration of donations in memory of him to The University of Iowa Center for Advancement, College of Engineering Student Aid Fund at donate.givetoiowa.org.