Mr. Alvin LeRoy Roberts

Alvin (Al) was born on October 5, 1928 at the family home in Fairview, Oregon to Warner "Bob" and Julia (Patrick) Roberts. As the son of an avid sportsman, Al learned to hunt and fish at an early age, and while growing up in Fairview he and his father were often on the banks of the Sandy, or in a boat on the Columbia at one of their “secret holes” fishing for salmon and sturgeon. With a love for the outdoors instilled at an early age, it was natural for Al to join the Boy Scouts. The scouting experience made such an impression on him that later in life he would lead his own Boy Scout and Eagle Scout troop. Al was able to identify with a vast array of people and personality types, and had the ability for making friends easily. School was as much an opportunity to enrich his mind and abilities, as it was an occasion to make friends. The friendships he formed as a child with Milton "Babe" Wing, David Anderson, and Jack Bennett would last his entire lifetime.

During his school years, he worked at many of the local nurseries in the Fairview & Gresham area to earn spending money, but soon after graduating from Benson Polytechnic High School in 1946 Al was bit by the "travel bug". He and a few friends packed up, and ventured off to Alaska to find their fortunes working in the fish packing industry. This was really good money in those days, but one season and a good dose of reality later, he found himself back in Fairview, and began working for Portland Gas & Coke, known now as Northwest Natural Gas. While working at PG&C he met Henry Keller, another friendship that continued throughout his life.

After dating for 2 years, Alvin married Barbara Ann Bourgo on January 14, 1949 in Stevenson, Washington, and though they were later divorced, Alvin and Barbara remained strong for their four children. Always excited by new ideas and life’s possibilities, traits that made him an exceptional worker, Al enrolled in a diesel mechanic correspondence course, and studied in the evenings after work. His first chance to put the newly learned skills to use came in October of 1950, when Al joined the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was assigned to an amphibious unit responsible for maintaining the Army’s fleet of landing craft. Through hard work and dedication, Al achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class and left the military as a Master Mechanic and Marine Engineer, skills that would carry him through his adult life.

Al returned to Fairview with a renewed interest in boating and took a job as a salesman for Harvey Marine while also working on outboard motors on the side. This new direction in life would connect him with Ray Defir, and lead to another adventure. Ray had designed a custom wooden inboard ski boat, and dreamed of creating a business. I recall the story of when they built one of the first boats in the garage of Al’s home in Fairview, it wasn’t until they were nearly done that they realized the boat was actually a few inches wider than the doorway. Although Al was only involved for a couple of years, he always very proud of helping one of his friends achieve their dream.

Excited about seeing changing scenery and constantly looking for what life could offer, Alvin would spend the next 47 years working for companies in Alabama, Colorado, Michigan & Texas, as well as Liberia, Baja, CA, Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Belize, Costa Rica, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and El Salvador.

When Al finally retired in 1990, he handled it like everything in his life, and made it satisfying. In 1992, he relocated to El Salvador where he would spend the next 17 years, and although officially retired, he never really stopped working. This was an opportunity for him to spend more time fishing, traveling, building and working on boats, pretty much anything mechanical. There was always someone that needed help. Each year Al enjoyed cooking a full traditional Thanksgiving dinner, including pumpkin and cherry pies for his family and friends in El Salvador. Even in retirement, Alvin continued to stay in touch with his old friends and like always, made plenty of new ones like Keith Richardson, Giovanni Patuzzo and Jose Paret in El Salvador.

Just recently he learned his way around the internet, coached by his friend Giovanni who owns an internet café in San Salvador, and was a very patient teacher who gave Al the confidence to adapt to this new communication highway. Al cherished all of his friendships and credited them with changing his life in many ways.

Because Alvin was constantly in the center of things and wanting to be where the action is, he was always willing to join in and help in community activities, and while in El Salvador Al was a member of the American Legion.

Al was a parent who was willing to provide his family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences and took the four children from his first marriage to live and vacation in many new and exotic lands. His friends and family understood well that he was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. He was clever, creative and witty, and was a joy to be around. While he was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Alvin Roberts for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Alvin was always willing to share his life experiences and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

After a lifetime of travel Alvin Roberts came home to Oregon and fought a courageous 6 month battle with cancer before passing away on January 31, 2010 in Gresham, Oregon, about 6 miles from the home where he was born. He is survived by his seven children, daughters - Bev, Jan, Judy, July and Joanna and sons - Kenny and Rodolfo, "Rudy". He was also blessed with many grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Services were held, and he was laid to rest in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.

ALVIN LEROY ROBERTS

Alvin LeRoy Roberts, a resident of Gresham, Oregon, died on January 31, 2010 in Gresham. He was 81 years of age.

Alvin was born on October 5, 1928 in Fairview, Oregon and was the son of Warner and Julia (Patrick) Roberts. He was the great-grandson of an Oregon Pioneer and was raised in the Fairview Area. He graduated from Benson Polytechnic in 1946.

On January 14, 1949, he married Barbara Ann Bourgo in Stevenson, Washington. They were the proud parents of four children. They were later divorced.

In 1950; he enlisted in the United States Army where he honorably served during the Korean Conflict. He was trained to be a master mechanic and marine engineer and received an honorable discharge on May 23, 1952 at the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Alvin’s military training and experience afforded him the opportunity to work for many companies worldwide as a Master Mechanic and also live for the past 17 years in El Salvador where he retired. He returned to Gresham just this past year to be closer to his children while he confronted his battle with cancer.

Alvin was a man of many travels and adventures. He had a passion for powerboats and hand built many in his life time. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Alvin is survived by his six children, Beverly Jarrett of Gresham, Jeannette Courtain of Portland, Judy Richardson of Portland, Kenny Roberts of Portland, Rodolfo Roberts of Guadalajara, Mexico, July Roberts of Costa Rica and Joanna Roberts of Texas along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 1:30 pm at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. Contributions may be made in memory of Alvin to Serenity Hospice. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.