Julie and Dick - I wish I had known about the memorial service. I would have for sure been there. Steve was a dear friend, mentor and customer.
His Republican Party was the kind of party I was proud to be a member of. That all changed once the Bob Ray, Mary Louise Smith, Art Neu, Mary Jane Odell, Joy Corning, Steve and so many other Moderate Republicans like them were no longer in the picture.
I will always remember Steve driving up to Storm Lake for a fundraiser my campaign was hosting. I was a young Republican, right out of college and young man in a hurry. No one gave me much of a chance taking on an incumbent Democrat but, always the optimist, Steve believed in me. Or at least knew how important it was to stand with friends.
Steve was the consummate back-slapper. But unlike so many others in politics there was nothing phony about him. He was as real as they came. I never saw Steve when he didn’t have a smile on his face even in defeat.
It is easy to get bitter in politics but Steve Roberts never did.
And I would have never had the opportunity to be Elizabeth Taylor’s chauffeur had it not been for Steve. Mike Triggs
One of the many stories in my book “Seriously, You Can’t Make This $#!+ Up!” I recently signed with Canada’s oldest book publisher and it should be out in November or December. Stories about my time in politics and retail.
I worked with Steve and Dawn Roberts when I was the Director of Service and Education at the American Cancer Society in Des Moines on Ingersoll Ave. Steve would run in and chair a meeting getting 100 Cancer Education programs in a 100 companies in Des Moines. He helped recruit 10 men who would all arrange 10 programs and we were getting education to the community. The ACS office in New York gave us an award and wondered how we did this and I said you do not have Steve Roberts to lead you. We would have an annual meeting, etc. and Dawn and Steve who attend. Steve made some speeches. He was working with Helen Fulk who was his good friend. Helen's husband Kenny was the director for the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. I thank Steve for the work he did as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Polk County chapter.
Larry and I were lucky enough to know Steve and Dawn through volunteer work that I did with Dawn. We had the chance to sit down to dinner with them at their home on a couple of occasions. Those evenings were filled with very good food, great conversation, and laughter that came easily and often. It was easy to see that Steve and Dawn were a very good team and a great example on how one can, and should, take the time to listen to and respect opinions that differed from your own. My wish is that Steve's passing is not an end of an era, but a call to all of us to find a way to disagree, but not be disagreeable; to work for a compromise that serves more people than "my way or the highway" ever will. If we could get there, we would all be honoring the legacy of a very good man.
I loved Steve Roberts. I could not get to his funeral service...but I know his character, and his genuine love of humanity was reflected in the diversity of people in attendance. I will miss him.
Do you know about the okoboji writers’ retreat?
Julie and Dick - I wish I had known about the memorial service. I would have for sure been there. Steve was a dear friend, mentor and customer.
His Republican Party was the kind of party I was proud to be a member of. That all changed once the Bob Ray, Mary Louise Smith, Art Neu, Mary Jane Odell, Joy Corning, Steve and so many other Moderate Republicans like them were no longer in the picture.
I will always remember Steve driving up to Storm Lake for a fundraiser my campaign was hosting. I was a young Republican, right out of college and young man in a hurry. No one gave me much of a chance taking on an incumbent Democrat but, always the optimist, Steve believed in me. Or at least knew how important it was to stand with friends.
Steve was the consummate back-slapper. But unlike so many others in politics there was nothing phony about him. He was as real as they came. I never saw Steve when he didn’t have a smile on his face even in defeat.
It is easy to get bitter in politics but Steve Roberts never did.
And I would have never had the opportunity to be Elizabeth Taylor’s chauffeur had it not been for Steve. Mike Triggs
Wait, what??? Such a great story. Now, dish on Elizabeth Taylor!
One of the many stories in my book “Seriously, You Can’t Make This $#!+ Up!” I recently signed with Canada’s oldest book publisher and it should be out in November or December. Stories about my time in politics and retail.
Do you know about the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat?
Wanted to go last year but we were in Philadelphia and New England that weekend. Hoping to be able to attend this year. What is the date?
I hope you can come! www.okobojiwritersretreat.com
Thank you for sharing Steve Roberts life.I’ve thought about writing my own obituary!
One note: it is St. Augustin’s not St. Augustines.
I worked with Steve and Dawn Roberts when I was the Director of Service and Education at the American Cancer Society in Des Moines on Ingersoll Ave. Steve would run in and chair a meeting getting 100 Cancer Education programs in a 100 companies in Des Moines. He helped recruit 10 men who would all arrange 10 programs and we were getting education to the community. The ACS office in New York gave us an award and wondered how we did this and I said you do not have Steve Roberts to lead you. We would have an annual meeting, etc. and Dawn and Steve who attend. Steve made some speeches. He was working with Helen Fulk who was his good friend. Helen's husband Kenny was the director for the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. I thank Steve for the work he did as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Polk County chapter.
It was fun to know him and work with him.
Good to know!
Larry and I were lucky enough to know Steve and Dawn through volunteer work that I did with Dawn. We had the chance to sit down to dinner with them at their home on a couple of occasions. Those evenings were filled with very good food, great conversation, and laughter that came easily and often. It was easy to see that Steve and Dawn were a very good team and a great example on how one can, and should, take the time to listen to and respect opinions that differed from your own. My wish is that Steve's passing is not an end of an era, but a call to all of us to find a way to disagree, but not be disagreeable; to work for a compromise that serves more people than "my way or the highway" ever will. If we could get there, we would all be honoring the legacy of a very good man.
Here, here!
Your collective comments are right on! Well done you two!
Thanks, CBH!
I loved Steve Roberts. I could not get to his funeral service...but I know his character, and his genuine love of humanity was reflected in the diversity of people in attendance. I will miss him.
Together, you captured the magic of Steve! Beautiful and fitting.