David Merrill Roberts

Dave Roberts passed away in Austin on February 23, 2025 at the age of 75, after a brief illness. Dave was born May 31, 1949 in Austin, Texas, where he lived most of his life. He loved his family, his friends, his dogs and his golf, and charmed everyone who met him.

Dave attended South Plains Junior College in 1968-70 on a varsity golf scholarship, and returned to Austin to finish his college career at the University of Texas. He received a B.B.A. from the McCombs School of Business in 1972, and was a member of the UT National Championship Golf Team, along with Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw, during the 1971 and 1972 winning seasons.

After graduation from UT, Dave worked for a short time as Assistant Professional at Balcones Country Club, and then chose to be reinstated as an amateur golfer and pursue other business opportunities. He was a strong contender on the local amateur circuit for many years, winning the Blackhawk Championship and the Muny Spring Partnership along the way. He was highly respected for his consistent play and was a big help and inspiration to fellow golfers.

From 1974 to 1991, Dave worked in the linen rental business, most notably at Model Laundry and Cleaners, and Jack Brown Linen Rental. At both companies he worked as Assistant Manager and won awards for his management style. In 1992 Dave became a professional golfer once more, competing in the 1993 Ninfa Texas Tour. He played in 24 tournaments and had some success, with a 76.45 stroke average. When his father’s health began to fail at the end of 1993, Dave moved back to Austin and took early retirement. Looking back on his life, he said that his most fulfilling accomplishment was not related to golf or business, but was being a caregiver for his father and then his mother when they both struggled with long-term illnesses.

Dave is predeceased by his parents, Royston and Phyllis Roberts and his brother, Stan Roberts. He is survived by his brother Rick (and Franci) Roberts, his sister Jeanie (and Bob) Hermansen and their daughter Catherine, nephew Daniel (and Lisa) Roberts and their children Ava and Ashley, and niece Honelie (and Derrek) Harper and their children Madeline, Daxton, Dekker, and Genevieve.

Services will be privately held. Flowers are gratefully accepted at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025.