Philip M. Roberts, 73, of Walcott and Davenport, Iowa, passed away on November 28, 2022, at Davenport Lutheran Home. Per his request, cremation rites have been accorded. Weerts Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 12 - 3pm at the Starlight Ballroom at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Davenport. Memorials in Phil’s name may be made to the Walcott Volunteer Fire Association or to the Speedway Fire Rescue.
Phil was born on March 1, 1949, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Davenport to H. Raymond and Dorothy Roberts. Phil was a 1967 graduate of Davenport West High School and a 1971 graduate of St. Ambrose University, where he majored in speech and drama and earned a teaching degree. In 1969, Phil married the love of his life and his best friend, Sherry Hirl. They had met in 1967 at a supermarket where both worked. Phil said their marriage was a good one even though Sherry once bought a sign that read: “We’ve been through a lot together and most of it was your fault.” Phil and Sherry were the parents of five children: Andrea, Alisa, Brendan, Clinton and Dane. Alisa died at age 2 days.
Phil’s hobbies were traveling with Sherry, announcing stock car races for 40 years, doing racing publicity, freelance writing and collecting antique radios and firefighter memorabilia. He worked many jobs but most enjoyed his media work, which began when he took a job as a deejay on his 19th birthday, March 1, 1968. He worked his way through college selling radio advertising during the day between classes and spinning records at night. Phil produced and voiced a motor racing news program on radio, "Around the Track," from 1973 through 1990. He handled media relations and publicity for a Midwest-based NASCAR racing series for 12 years. He did the same thing for World Dirt Racing League. Phil was inducted into both the Iowa Racing Museum and Hall of Fame and the Quad City Raceway Hall of Fame. His favorite media jobs involved news reporting at The Leader, WOC-AM and the North Scott Press. His news reporting earned Phil awards from Scott County Historic Preservation Society, Iowa Press Women, National Press Women, Iowa Broadcast News Association and Iowa Associated Press. Phil served as a volunteer firefighter in Walcott for 27 years, which included a term as assistant chief. He was also the department’s public information officer. Phil and three others became the department’s first-ever EMTs in January 1979, which he did for 14 years. Phil also was an honorary member of Speedway Fire-Rescue, teaching media relations and crisis communications to members. He was a member of four boards of directors: Mississippi Valley Fair, Iowa Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, Iowa Broadcast News Association and American Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society. Phil was also a lifetime member of First Christian Church in Davenport.
Phil is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sherry (Hirl) Roberts; children: Andrea Schmidt, Brendan Roberts, Clint (Lisa) Roberts, and Dane (Casey) Roberts; 11 grandchildren: Alexis Schmidt (Kelsey Libansky), Kelley (Schmidt) Dodds, Pierce (Ashlyn) Roberts, Cade Roberts, Harrison Schmidt, Marin Schmidt, Emaline Roberts, Mae Roberts, Quinn Roberts, Rosalie Roberts, Zander Roberts; great-grandchildren Olivia Dodds and Aria Dodds; brother Bruce (Faith) Roberts; and in-laws: Dr. Edward (Melanie) Hirl, Lori Bennett, and Cynthia (Mike) Bell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Alisa (twin to Andrea), parents-in-law Edward and Hilda Hirl, and brother-in-law John Bennett.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at Davenport Lutheran Home for all of their love and support during this difficult time.
