Leslie “Les†Roberts, a former member of the SDSU Alumni Association and SDSU Foundation boards, died Oct. 30, 2020, at Community Memorial Hospital Avera in Redfield.
Roberts, 97, of Ashton, was a 1948 graduate of the College of Engineering and was tabbed as an SDSU Distinguished Alumnus in 1998. The Les and Wanda Roberts family also was named SDSU Family of the Year in 2008. In 2013, the Roberts were named the Philanthropic Family of the Year by the SDSU Foundation.
Roberts also was a member of the SDSU Foundation’s Sylvan Circle, which honors those who have made a commitment to future support of SDSU through planned or deferred gifts.
Roberts was born Dec. 30, 1922, at the farm east of Ashton that was homesteaded by his grandfather in 1882. He attended a one-room school for grades 1-8 and graduated as valedictorian of Ashton HighÂ
School in 1940. After earning his engineering degree, he started farming with his father, William.
He was a cattleman, innovative farmer and conservationist who served his community in various roles, including being a member of the Northwestern School Board. He also was the longtime secretary of the Mid-Dakota Polled Hereford Association and funded numerous scholarships at SDSU and Dakota Wesleyan University.
On June 5, 1950, Roberts married Wanda McCrossen, who preceded him in death in 1999. Roberts lived on his own until his death. He enjoyed family gatherings, particularly during pheasant season. He was proud to have shot pheasants in nine decades.
Survivors include his four children, Ellen (Greg) Boekelheide, Thomas (Barbara), Kevin (Debbie) and Michael (Nancy); nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, two brothers and two sisters.
Memorials can be made to the SDSU Foundation, Box 525, Brookings, 57006, or Northwestern Community Foundation, Box 51, Mellette, S.D., 57461.
