Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 30, 1993                   TAG: 9304300207
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LAWSONVILLE, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

FRIENDS HAIL MAN OF HIGH CALIBER

Roberts, of Stuart, Va., died in January. But on Sunday, what would have been his 65th birthday, about 40 friends and relations gathered at the spot where he spent Saturdays shooting targets and the breeze.

Following instructions in Roberts' will, they blasted his ashes over fields near Lawsonville.

"We felt he was here with us," said Robert Carl, a close friend who inherited Roberts' favorite shotgun, a 12-gauge. "And he was enjoying a good afternoon."

For the ceremony each mourner took two 12-, 16- or 20-gauge shells Carl had filled with Roberts' ashes and formed a long line.

Roberts' daughter said a few words. Then, after a moment of silence, the shooters pointed their guns heavenward and let loose with a volley.

Everyone then raised a glass in a toast to Roberts and sat down to supper in his honor.

It was a fitting end for an unusual guy, Carl said. "He had odd ideas at times and he loved a good joke."

Roberts, who had owned a construction company in New York, retired to Stuart after visiting Carl across the state line in Lawsonville.