James Lewis Roberts

James L. “Jimmy” Roberts died at home in San Antonio, surrounded by love, on the evening of October 30, 2023.

“Tocayo” of his adored grandfather James Lewis Tatum, Jimmy was born in Lima, Peru on October 23, 1951, to David & Mary Fuller Roberts. His US military childhood exposed him to excellent teachers and school systems across the country including in Fort Bliss, where cutting edge science was discussed over dinner, and in Washington DC, where he played hooky to pore over early science books in the Library of Congress. He received his undergraduate degree from Colorado State University, his PhD in Chemistry/Biochemistry from the University of Oregon and a Fellowship in Molecular Endocrinology from UC San Francisco. He then joined the faculty of Columbia University in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and the Center for Reproductive Sciences.

In 1986, he founded the Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Research Center for Neuroscience at the Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, creating one of the foremost centers for neuroscience in the country. With his wife and colleague Mariann “Poco” Blum, he remained at Mt Sinai for 15 years, taking occasional trips south to break ground on their ranch in Medina, Texas. In 2001 he and Mariann moved to the University of Texas Medical Center in San Antonio where he helped build the Center for Biomedical Neuroscience.

At the forefront of molecular biology in the 1980s, his distinguished research career was noted for his discovery of the mechanism by which peptides are made and for demonstrations of the use of in-situ hybridization. His laboratory cloned many crucial genes involved in the regulation of reproduction – from hormones to receptors to polypeptides – and was in the vanguard of exploring enzymes that regulated peptides in the brain that controlled not only reproduction, but blood pressure and energy metabolism. His final research area, after moving to San Antonio, focused on the role of growth factors and estrogens in mediating protection and recovery of the brain from oxidative stress damage.

Following his wife's death in 2003, he finished building the Luna Rosa Ranch as a place for family, friends, colleagues and students to gather, discuss and relax. In 2008, he joined the faculty of Trinity University, San Antonio, as Cowles Distinguished Professor of Life Science to help build their neuroscience undergraduate major. He retired from Trinity University in 2018 and the Medical Center in 2021.

He was predeceased by his parents, Col. David and Mary Roberts; his wife, Mariann Blum; and his eldest brother, Keith Roberts. He leaves his wife of almost 5 years, Charlotte Wilson; his elder brother, Bill Roberts; sisters-in-law, Cathy Blum, Bea and Linda Roberts; brothers-in-law, Andrew and Mitchell Blum; nieces, Haley and Cassie Roberts and Teresa Villareal; nephews, Justin and Ryan Rogers; stepsons, Cyril Wilson and Robert Turner-Cain; and all their families, along with cousins, extended family and countless friends, colleagues, former postdocs, doctoral and undergraduate students.

At his request, there will be a private cremation followed, at a date to be determined, by a Luna Rosa Ranch-style celebration of life.

The family expresses thanks and deep gratitude to Dr. Michael Lichtenstein, formerly of UT Heath; Dr. Anthony Tolcher, physicians and staff of Next Oncology, San Antonio; Gala Lagmark; also Debbie Jacobs, Sandra Rojas Gutierrez and Nahielly Ruiz of Avionn Home Care, San Antonio.

He was a beautiful man, generous and kind, and a giant of science. His dedication, joy and curiosity in the world, work and play infected all those around him.

His life was a blessing.

And He Always Had Fun.