Robin Roberts Father; Lawrence E. Roberts
Lawrence Edward Roberts Sr. (December 9, 1922 – October 12, 2004) was an American pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen and a colonel in the United States Air Force, with 32 years of total military service. He is famously known as the father of newscaster Robin René Roberts and Sally-Ann Roberts.
Lawrence E. Roberts Age and death cause
Roberts was born on December 9, 1922, in the Vauxhall section of Union Township, Union County, New Jersey. He died on October 12, 2004 (aged 81), in Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. Lawrence died at his home in Biloxi, Mississippi, his cause of death was due to a heart attack.
His funeral services were held at the Triangle Chapel at Keesler Air Force Base near Biloxi and he was buried at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.
Lawrence E. Roberts Wife and Children
For 57 years, he was married to Lucimarian Tolliver. Lawrence E. Roberts, Jr., Sally-Ann Roberts, Dorothy Roberts McEwen Ricketts, and Robin René Roberts were their four children. He instilled in his children the ability to live their lives without restrictions. Roberts was a devout member of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi’s First Presbyterian Church.
Lawrence E. Roberts Career and Worth
Roberts attended Howard University, Morningside College, and Tuskegee Institute for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, respectively.
What did Lawrence Roberts do? In 1943, Roberts enlisted in the US Army Air Corps at Keesler Air Force Base. In 1944, he was assigned to the Tuskegee Airmen program.
Roberts flew Piper Cubs, B-25 Mitchell bombers, Douglas C-54 Skymaster transports, and F-86 Sabre and fighter jets for North America. From 1958 to 1960, Roberts was an instructor in Tuskegee University’s Air Force ROTC program.
He received 18 medals and awards for his service in the Vietnam War. Roberts was a founding member of the Keesler Air Force Base Gospel Service, the United States Air Force’s oldest Gospel service.
Roberts has received posthumous awards from all over the country since his death. The Mississippi Legislature drafted a resolution honoring his life shortly after his death in 2004, and he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 2007.
Roberts was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush for his bravery, patriotism, and assistance in persuading President Harry S. Truman to desegregate the armed forces. Marlin Miller’s sculpture was dedicated in War Memorial Park in Pass Christian, Mississippi, in March 2009.
A new consolidated aircraft maintenance facility for the 403rd Wing at Keesler AFB was dedicated and named in Roberts’ honor on September 10, 2009.
The one-hour documentary Tuskegee Airmen: Legacy of Courage for History was executive produced and narrated by his daughter Robin Roberts.
He had an estimated net worth of $30 million at the time of his death.