Dr. Robert E. Roberts, accomplished surgeon

Dr. Robert E. Roberts, M.D., 86, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2015, in Bethany Beach. He was born Oct. 7, 1928, in Toledo, Ohio, son of the late Glenn and Dorothy G. (Shirey) Roberts.

Dr. Roberts received his bachelor of science degree in pre-medicine from the University of Toledo in 1949. He continued his medical education at Indiana Medical School, graduating in 1957. During this time, Dr. Roberts completed his residency at Beckley, W.Va. from 1954 to 1955. In 1956, he proudly served in the U.S. Army as a surgeon and captain at Ft. Stewart in Georgia. He finished his internship at Indiana University's Surgical Department in 1958.

In 1963, Dr. Roberts worked for a Medical Group in Toledo, and the following three years he worked in Crisfield, Md. In 1967, Dr. Roberts continued to practice of medicine in Petersburg, W.Va.,here he served his rural community with all their medical needs. Dr. Roberts with his family retired to the Rehoboth Beach area in 1996, but he continued to practice medicine part time in West Virginia until he retired in 1998.

From 1998 to 2008, Dr. Roberts was involved in missionary work in Jamaica where he established a medical clinic in the settlement of Bamboo. In 2002, he was elected chairman of an advisory group. The advisory group developed into the West Side New Beginnings Coalition which worked in an effort to save a small African American community.

Beyond Dr. Roberts' many community-minded and worldly deeds, he enjoyed boating, fishing and gardening. In his younger years, he achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America. He was a man of many attributes who firstly loved his family, and established his career as a great surgeon.

In addition to his parents, Dr. Roberts was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Roberts. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Sandra K. Roberts of Rehoboth Beach; three children: Diana R. Mitchell and her husband Michael of Half Moon Bay, Calif., Thomas H. Roberts of Cleveland, Ohio and Richard G. Robert of Lewes; five grandchildren: David G. Roberts, Daniel T. Roberts, Samuel R. Mitchell, Chelsea L. Roberts and Riley E. Roberts; and his beloved Boston terrier, Nickie.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, June 16, at 2 p.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, where friends may visit at 1 p.m. Interment with military honors will follow the services at Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Henlopen Avenue, Rehoboth Beach. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Roberts' memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, West Side New Beginnings, 19801 Norwood St., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Please visit Dr. Roberts' Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.