So so sorry to hear about Von! He was such a kind man and I loved going to William & Mary and having him & Jenny have me over for dinner. He was so funny and such a sweet guy and me and my family will surely miss him 💕 Thinking of you, Jenny, today and praying for you and your family.

At our daughter’s wedding 10/9/2022 ❤️

It is with the deepest sympathy from our family to hear of the passing of Von. We have known him since little league football in the Hampton area. His family was such good people.We always had the greatest times together. He will be missed  immensely. Our hearts are with the family. Von always called me his other Mother and that was a tribute. The Clemins family.

I first met Von in the 1990s when we both served for the U.S. National Military organization at SHAPE, Mons Belgium.  Von was an admired, distinguished Lieutenant Colonel in the Army.  After hours he and I established the Funk Explosion Blues Band where we played many shows together in the area.  I never met a finer officer, or a better bass player.  I learned much from him and will cherish our time together.  "HUA" in honor of one of the finest men I ever met.

Dear Donna and Brian, my deepest condolences 💐 to the Roberts family. Von was like a brother to me and l have so many childhood  memories that could fill a book.  All the football , baseball and kickball games in the field boys againt girls of Richard Ave… my most fondest memory is the talent shows when Von was “ Jimi Hendrick” playing that guitar  🎸 with so much love ❤️ and the blues jam sessions Von and Mr.Parker  shared their musical jam sessions.. l will forever love and miss his neverending coolness.. Love you both and know he is forever playing his music 🎶 for God..your parents, relatives and Ladonna. Be strong..and smile knowing this.. Love you both ..Phyllis Copeland🥰

It was with profound regret when we learned about Von’s passing. We are deeply grieved. Von Roberts was one of the kindest, most generous, caring, and thoughtful persons we have ever known. Quite simply, Von was the best of the best.
We send our most sincere sympathy and heartfelt condolences to Jenny and the entire Roberts family. 
Requiescat in pace, Von. “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
                              Very respectfully,
                              Pat & Sam Biank

LTC(R) Von Roberts was my hero at a moment when I needed it most.  While stationed in Madrid, Spain, my house was broken into while I was sleeping.  I awoke to the sound of someone closing my bedroom door.  Frozen with fear, I laid in my bed for a long while trying to determine what to do.  When the sun finally began to rise, it gave me enough courage to quietly get up and and call Von (who lived just 2 blocks from me). I told him someone was in my house.  As he later told it, he jumped up, grabbed his keys and ran to his car and sped to my house (breaking a couple of laws along the way!).  Once I heard his car pull up, I ran downstairs and flew open my front door and ran out of the house.  It was indeed, one of the scariest times of my life.  In the end, after local police and MP’s were called, it was determined that several homes on my street were broken into that night.  Von and Jenny were so gracious, they let me stay with them that next night.  I will forever be grateful to him for being there when I needed him. After some time had passed, he enjoyed embellishing the story saying that after I opened the door - I jumped into his arms and wouldn’t let go! He would tell this version while laughing that deep laugh of his! All the while knowing it would embarrass me! I will miss him greatly and I hope he rests in peace…SFC(R) Dana Davis

My condolences to the Roberts family. 
May God continue to strengthen you the more 
In times such as this. Continue ye one another in prayer. Peace!

Von playing his dear friend Carl Sanders' bass

Von and Jenny with several fellow service members attending the Running of the Bulls while stationed in Madrid, Spain

Von playing a gig and with Dana Davis at SHAPE, Belgium

Von, MAJ (R) Fay Spellerberg and SFC(R) Dana Davis celebrating the Army Birthday in Madrid, Spain

Von and Jenny at their house in Madrid, Spain and at SHAPE, Belgium at the Army Ball

Von, Dana Davis and Pete Lyke at SHAPE, Belgium

Von and Jenny's farewell party in Madrid, Spain

So sad to hear the news of Von Jose' Roberts passing. What an incredibly kind, genuine man, and an incredible musician.

Jose and his wife joined us on the Good Shot Cruise a few years ago, and that was really when I started getting to know him. Somehow, he just had a way of knowing when I needed a friend. He’d reach out and ask me to lunch, or sometimes just call to see how I was doing.

I loved hearing his stories about his time in the military, his trips overseas, sharing the stage with some pretty big-time artists, how he met his wife… all of it. He was such a great storyteller, and I always felt like there was a lesson somewhere inside those stories for me.

I wish I’d had the chance to know him longer, but I’m incredibly thankful for the time that I did.

I’ve always dealt with a little bit of imposter syndrome when it comes to playing the bass, and Jose probably never knew just how much it meant to me to have a musician like him tell me that he enjoyed watching me perform. Coming from him, that meant a lot.

More than anything, though, I’ll remember his kindness and his friendship.

I’m going to miss my friend.

What a fun loving man you were. A great musician and a loving husband to jenny. It has been a pleasure to meet you .  It is sad you were called back home. Hugs and kisses for Jenny and sincere condolences . Love the Slaytons

Von, where to start…First and foremost, I know you are looking at all of us saying, “look, this place I am at now is perfection. I am playing with the likes of Jim Croce and Meatloaf” …. I put Meatloaf in just because I know you are reading these….Your sense of humor, your cooking and your overall kindness and terrible color ensemble's will be so darn missed. Your door was always open and  whatever was in your pantry, you were ready to share. A bigger, kinder heart will be hard to find. You are home now, you just visited us. And what a damn visit it was!

Dear Mr. Roberts,
We met in 2006 while serving with the NATO Brigade in Mons, Belgium. You, the Colonel, and I met regularly to discuss personnel and administrative matters affecting the Brigade. The Brigade staff worked in the same building, and the long hallway connecting our offices was often the setting for activities beyond our daily duties, including holiday decorating, chili cook-offs, bake sales, and community events. During one of those gatherings, you shared with me the story of your military career and the major, life-changing surgery you had undergone. I have always appreciated the trust you placed in me by sharing that experience.
I will always remember our many conversations about the bass guitar, the cherished memories of jam sessions at the Chaplain’s quarters and our trips to Edelweiss.
Rest in peace.
Garry D. Tull
CSM (Ret.), NATO BDE CSM, 2006–2010.

Dear Von,
we met many years ago in Madrid/Spain when Manfred (passed away on Feb10th 2025) and you worked for NATO.
We became friends and spent wonderful time together in Spain, Belgium and Germany with lots of memories, pictures and of course music.
We will always remember you and our thoughts are with Jenny and your family.
R.I.P.
Marlies Mattick and Family

Thanks for being a great Uncle! So sad to hear of your passing. We will miss you lots. Such happy memories of visits to see you, Jenny and the dogs in Belgium, Madrid and Hampton. You were such a talented musician and we loved listening to your music. Rest in peace. We will all look after Jenny xx

Lifting Von & our ROBERTS FAMILY up in PRAYERS.....REST IN PEACE VON🙏🤲💔
 Suzanne & The Boone Family ☮️💞

Sending sincere condolences to the Roberts family along with prayers for comfort and strength 
Jeff Allen
Phoebus High School 
Class of 1978

Rest easy, Uncle Von. I’ll always treasure the wonderful memories we made over the years in Madrid, Belgium and Virginia. You were loved by so many, and you’ll be missed by everyone lucky enough to have known you. 

Natalie 
xxx

To Uncle Von,

I will always remember you cooking up a storm in the kitchen and watching you in awe playing bass - so iconic! May you rest in peace 💕 xx

My condolences to Jenny and family - R.I.P Mr. Bassman🎸🤗.

Today, we didn't just lose someone. We lost a truly remarkable man and I lost a great friend, a brother in every sense that matters.

Von and I served together at NATO in Madrid, and I will always treasure the memories and the friendship we shared.

Von, you were one of the kindest, most generous, and genuinely good people I have ever known. I feel incredibly fortunate that our paths crossed and that I had the privilege of calling you my friend.

My dear friend, you will always have a place in my heart. I will never forget you.

I love you, brother. Rest in peace, Von.

Manny

Dearest Von, 
So loved and missed by so many people…,
We first met you and Jenny in 2008 at a Chinese restaurant in Mons Belgium.  I over heard Jenny talking and was excited to hear a fellow Brit!   Turns out we’d already been given your name to contact, as you were a base bigwig and I was looking for a job lol…it was kismet.  We became fast friends as you and Brent bonded over your love of music and I bonded with Jenny because, well, she’s such a sweetheart.  Lots of fun times over the years hanging at your house,  holding jam sessions or rehearsals for your band Funkyard Dawg  or just hanging out and enjoying your amazing food at one of your many great gatherings.  You loved to bring people together and we met lots of amazing people through you.  Many, many great memories and some difficult ones too, which only served to strengthen our bond and we became more like family over the years.   The miles separated us all when we moved back to the USA, however we stayed in touch and came together as much as schedules and life allowed.   A great musical talent, chef and all round human being, you remain loved and in our hearts forever.  Now in the arms of our Savior Jesus Christ forever and until we all meet again, RIH Von Jose…
Love and prayers for peace and strength to Jenny, the family and all who loved Von.  Xoxo

Sending My Deepest sympathies and condolences to the Roberts family...  Von was a very good friend during our early years... from elementary school, high school football, college, and we served together as 2nd Lieutenants in military...
He will be sorely missed... may he REST IN PEACE!

Dear Von
It was pleasure to know you and become your friend Bass player . The Bass community 
Has lost some one of great talent and a wonderful human being. Rest in peace!

So blessed to have had Von, a gentle man, a gentleman and friend in our lives.
Sending so much love to Jenny, as always, at this incredibly sad time.
Di, Pete and Brad x

My dear brother in law Von aka Sonny Bobo, how you will be missed by so many …
I first met you in Israel where you were deployed , whilst I was living in Damascus  when you first met my lovely sister Jenny , the love of your life! 
I hold so many happy memories of times gone by , of your kindness , your generosity, your singing, your wicked sense of humour, your BBQ’s , you were just a huge presence in people’s lives ! 
You will be a massive loss to so many , may you rest now in eternal peace  & know we will always take care of your beloved Jenny ❤️

Donna & Bryan, so sorry to her of our loss.  Keeping you in prayer!

My condolences, keeping the family in prayer 

Calvin Allen

I always loved playing music with Von Jose, it was always fun and enlightening. He brought energy and musical intelligence to everything he participated in. And it was a special treat to hear him sing. He always lit up the Marshawk stage with Mustang Sally. He will be sorely missed, but I know wherever he is he's jamming and lighting it up there!
Bob Lambert

OBITUARY

Von Jose Roberts

April 9, 1955 – September 24, 2026

Nelsen Williamsburg

Show your support

Send Flowers

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Visitation

Chapel Service with Military Honors