Robert Stephen Roberson

Robert S. Roberson (“Bo”), 82, of Williamsburg, VA died on Friday, September 19, 2025, surrounded by his wife and three daughters. Bo was born on November 30,1942, in Mount Kisco, NY to Robert H. and Mercedes S. Roberson. A descendant of many of the Founding Families of New York, Bo was a graduate of New York University School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance (now Stern School of Business), where he was a student leader inducted into NYU’s Honorary Society, the University’s highest all university honor for scholarship and extracurricular activities. He attended NYU Graduate School of Business and, after moving to Virginia, received his MBA from the College of William & Mary.

Bo was, first and foremost, a gentleman and a devoted family man. A loving and loyal husband and a gem of a father and grandfather, he was kind, thoughtful, and present. He loved nothing more than spending time with his wife of almost 58 years, Barbara, and their three daughters and sons-in-law, Betsy and David (Boston, MA); Brooke and John (Greenwich, CT); and Buffy and Tom (Mill Valley, CA), and with the grandchildren of whom he was so proud: Merritt, Ella, Nina, Dash, and Henry.

Bo will be remembered for his interest in and support of others, his intelligence, and his unwavering integrity. He will also be remembered as unflappable, with a quick wit and a dry sense of humor, which, when combined with his gentle nature, made him a true original.

Bo began his career as a commercial banker at Republic National Bank of New York. He moved to Newport News, VA, shortly after he and the former Barbara Colbert Drane were married in Manhasset, NY. Once in Virginia, alongside his father-in-law, Colbert Drane, Bo served as President of Weaver Bros., Incorporated, of Newport News, a fine architectural millwork firm specializing in custom work for commercial and institutional properties of regional and national significance, including the College of William & Mary, Colonial Williamsburg, and the University of Virginia. After selling the lumber and millwork divisions of the company, Bo led Weaver Bros.’ transition into real estate investing. Since then, Bo guided Weaver Bros. through the purchase and ownership of a variety of commercial properties in Virginia.

Bo was a lifelong volunteer and instilled in his three daughters the importance of helping others and contributing to causes greater than themselves. Bo began his volunteer “career” as a Cub Scout, which served as a stepping stone to his more than three-quarters of a century of serving his local community and beyond. He held leadership and governing roles at a variety of nonprofits, most of which focused on his interests in early American history, the arts, education, and sports.

Bo worked tirelessly to guide four institutions of higher education in achieving their missions. He served on the governing boards of the College of William & Mary, Randolph College (formerly Randolph-Macon Woman’s College), Richard Bland College, and VIMS. In addition, Bo sought to guide the futures of many of the other nonprofits he served. As a member of the governing board of the Roberson Museum and Science Center/Planetarium, Bo was a stalwart supporter and steward of the educational legacy of his family members Margaret and Alonzo Roberson, believing, as they did, that education should be accessible to all. Bo also served on the governing boards of The Roberson Foundation, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, the Muscarelle Museum of Art, the Muscarelle Museum of Art Foundation, the Cypher Society of the College of William & Mary, the Golf Museum, and the Virginia War Museum. He also served as a trustee, visitor, director, or commissioner for numerous other nonprofit organizations, including the Virginia Living Museum, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, George Washington’s Mount Vernon National Shrine, Hampton Roads Academy, and the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission. He was also a former United States Golf Association National Committeeman and a member of the Library and America’s Cup Archive Committees of the New York Yacht Club. Bo was also proud to have served as an Honorary Deputy Chief of the Fire Department of the City of New York. In addition, Bo had been recognized for his dedication to volunteerism through memberships in The Order of St. John and The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.

At the time of his passing, Bo was a member of The Brook (NYC), The Metropolitan Club of the City of Washington, D.C., The Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C.,The Pilgrims of the United States/England, St. Nicholas Society, Williamsburg German Club, and Squadron A Association (Family Member, NY). Over the course of his life, Bo held memberships in the Down Town Association, New York Yacht Club, Fishers Island Club, Fishers Island Yacht Club, the Southampton Club, and the Sons of the Revolution. He was a member of the Union Club of New York City and Farmington Country Club, Charlottesville, VA for more than half of his life.

Bo will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He made the world a better place, and his loss is felt far and wide.

The graveside service will be private. The family will receive friends at a reception in memory of Bo on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bruton Parish Church, The Bruton Parish House, 331 Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, VA.

In remembrance of Bo, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Bruton Parish Church or the charity of your choice.