Remembering Grandpa Roberts

Grandpa Roberts will be missed, and it was a rough last week when his body finally had to quit fighting.  It was a very emotional process for my whole family to be there and watch this happen, but after a long 30 year battle with Parkinson's and other health concerns in the past years, we know he is better off in heaven, disease and pain free! 

Stephen G. Roberts was much loved by his family and friends and while we are all saddened to be away from his presence, we know he is where his soul always longed to be, in Heaven with Jesus. We know without a doubt that he loved us with all his heart, but his first and strongest love was for Jesus Christ and the salvation He brought to him personally. Stephen used this faith to raise his family to love the Lord, not so much in words, but by his actions. In all things, Stephen was the example for all to see and understand what it looked like to be a Christian in every sense of the word.
Stephen was born in Cle Elum, WA to Gerald V. Roberts and Helena (Peters) Roberts on September 25, 1935.
Stephen was raised by his loving grandparents as an only child until he met Vivian, the love of his life. He was immediately welcomed by Fast family as a new son and older brother to eight younger brothers and sisters who he grew to love and admire. It wasn’t until he was an adult that Stephen met his half brother, Stan and his wife Kathy which connected him to his Roberts heritage.
His family extended over the years to include the families of Glendale Mennonite and Faith Reformed Church. In his last year, he included in this family the many people of Lynden Christian Healthcare Center. He touched many lives in his life and his faith was always visible in his thoughts, words, and actions.
Stephen’s careers included working at a grain elevator, driving truck for goodwill in Seattle, TV repairman, ranch manager on a cattle and wheat farm, worked in the construction of Intalco and other commercial building industry. He was well known for his work ethic and by all his friends and neighbors as a jack-of-all-trades.
Hobbies included trains, working with wood, creating toys and furnishings for family, trains, fishing, trains, hunting, but his biggest passion model trains. He also enjoyed reading and playing games. *Did we mention he liked trains?
His greatest thrill later in life was watching his grandchildren participate in sports and music. He was very proud of their many accomplishments.
Stephen is preceded in death by his parents, and his parents-in-law, Frank and Katherine Fast.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Vivian (Fast) Roberts; his children, Steve (Marge) Roberts of Lynden, WA, Mike (Laurie) Roberts of Richland, WA, Shari (Brian) Klein of Nooksack, WA and Gerald Roberts of Sumas, WA. His grandchildren, Julie (Chris) Price, Nicole Reyes, Jeff (Rachel) Roberts, Larry Christianson, Jon (Amy Porter) Klein, Melissa Klein, Jessica Roberts, and Daniel Klein; and his 11 great grandchildren. His brother Stan (Kathy) Roberts of Bothell, WA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
We would like to thank the staff at Lynden Christian Healthcare Center for their loving care.

It was a really nice service and our family did a great job of giving people an idea of what my grandpa was like and the influence he had on all of us through the Eulogy. 

Here is what I submitted:

Growing up as the oldest grandchild I remember spending time at Grandpa and Grandma’s house, which included many adventures, from exploring with grandpa and him showing us all of his train stuff. Even if it meant going down to the scary basement! Trains were a big deal, and they took us on a train tour and we got to ride a real train too. From early on grandpa wasn’t a man of many words, but we always knew what he was thinking and that he cared. I have always treasured the things that he made me and my siblings, and was amazed at his talents of construction and fixing things. It was definitely to my whole families benefit that my dad got those same traits and can fix anything too! Thank you grandpa!

In high school grandpa always had a front row seat at all my sporting events, and was one of my biggest fans. We made sure to keep him and grandma outfitted in the latest gear, and he wore it proudly! It didn’t stop in high school, but he traveled across the state to watch many of my college volleyball games as well, and he didn’t let driving 3.5 hours each way in a day slow him down or keep him away, it couldn’t have been easy to make those trips for him. Actions speak louder than words and grandpa showed that over and over again in his life, and I will always remember him on those sidelines with the biggest smile and cheering us on. He was so proud and it felt so good to have him care so much.

Even though he couldn’t walk or talk very easily in the last of my memories, he showed me more than he might ever know. He loved my grandma, life wasn’t easy and small tasks could take hours, but you knew how much he appreciated her. Alongside a great man, is an amazing woman, my grandma who not only devoted many years to taking care of my grandpa, but did it without complaining, and always showed lots of love, patience and support. She is a rock, and not only has my grandpa benefited from her gifts, but she has shown us all an example of what love really is. Because of my grandma my grandpa led a great life and was loved full heartedly, what a gift they have passed on to us.

My son Crew, the oldest great grandchild, said it best “Mom, will I recognize grandpa without his wheel chair in heaven?” Of course Crew, he will run to you, won’t that be cool! “Mom, I will get to understand grandpa when he talks to me now!” Yes Crew, grandpa is finally healed and he can walk, talk, and do all of the projects and fix anything he wants in heaven! Crew, Brody, and Kyler will all treasure their memories riding in the wheel chair with grandpa, driving the wheelchair, and using grandpa's lift chair. Oh what fun they had, and it brought many smile's to grandpa's face too!

We love you and will always hold you close to our hearts grandpa!

Love Chris, Julie, Crew, Brody, and Kyler

 On the picture board were some of the coolest old pictures of my grandparents.  I found this picture (I need to get the scans from all of them yet) and I snapped a shot with my own camera for now...  I didn't know my grandpa before he was sick with Parkinson's, this picture is so romantic! :)

My grandma's the oldest of 9 siblings-- what a fun group, they traveled from all over the US to make sure and be here and support my grandma and celebrate the life of Grandpa.

Go Wildcats-- they traveled every where for my college games!

This is one of my favorite pictures when Crew was like 17 months old--- The pure joy on my grandparents face is priceless!

Grandpa Roberts will be missed, and we ask for prayers for our family, especially Grandma "Biv", life is going to look a bit different now. But Crew said it best, "Grandpa is having so much fun being able to finally run around and talk in heaven!"  LOVE YOU GRANDMA!!!!!