Dr. Frederick Barry Roberts, beloved pediatrician, passed away peacefully in Nacogdoches, Texas, on May 9, 2018, at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Barbara. He was a loving father to his three children Wendi Ellen Strong, Brian Ralph Roberts and Virginia Anne Mitchell, and grandfather to Ian Strong, Colin Strong, Duncan Strong, Bari Roberts, Carter Roberts, and Benjamin Mitchell. He was the cherished friend and companion of Shirley Watterson.
Born a Canadian, Barry adopted Nacogdoches, Texas, and the United States, as his home when he moved his family and pediatric practice there in 1978. He proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1991. After 40 years of caring for children, he retired in 2005.
Barry was a tireless advocate for children. He was a founder, president, and board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Nacogdoches and considered that to be his most significant contribution to their welfare. It was his dream that the club would benefit East Texas children in perpetuity. A longstanding Rotarian, he led the Nacogdoches Rotary Club’s commitment to Polio Plus, the successful campaign to eradicate polio worldwide.
Barry was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on August 16, 1932, to William Ralph Roberts and Vera Mabel Roberts (nee Sanger). He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1956 with a degree in medicine. In 1963, he was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the highest earned medical degree in the British Empire.
Barry enjoyed teaching and writing, serving as Associate Professor in the department of Pediatrics at McMaster University Medical School in Hamilton, Ontario, and in the department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. He is the author of the childrearing guide, Confusion to Confidence: Informed Parenting (Lufkin Press, 1998).
He was humbled to receive the following recognition: The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal, awarded in 1977 for Outstanding Humanitarian Community Service in Canada; the Medallion of the Boys & Girls Club of America, received in 1996; and the Americanism Medal for being Texas’ Naturalized Citizen of the Year in 2000 from the Daughters of the American Revolution. His greatest honor was being inducted into the first-ever Boys & Girls Club of Deep East Texas Hall of Fame in November, 2017.
Visitation will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm on Friday, May 18, 2018, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home, 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas. The funeral will occur there on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 10 am, followed by a graveside service at Sunset Memorial Park, officiated by Pastor Robert Easterling.
Pallbearers will be Brian Roberts, Benjamin Mitchell, Colin Strong, Carter Roberts, Duncan Strong, Michael Boyd, Wayne Davis, and Bryant Krenek. Honorary Pallbearer will be Dr. William Milawski.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Nacogdoches, 2712 Park Street, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75961. Bgcdet.org or 936-560-2344.
Please visit www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com to leave your online condolences and memories.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches.
