Political
science professor remembered as passionate,
cheerlful, a navigator
By Eric Anthony
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Students and faculty from the political science department gathered Thursday
afternoon in the Japanese Garden to honor the memory of political science professor
Edwin Roberts, who died Aug. 2 of a heart attack.
Immediate family members, political science department faculty members, students
and university administrators attended the memorial.
Charles Noble, chairman of the political science department, opened the memorial
in front of the dozens in attendance.
“This is truly a very sad day,” Noble said to the crowd.
In a written statement on the memorial’s program, Noble called Roberts “a
friend to the faculty, staff and students who knew and worked with him.”
Mary Caputi, a fellow professor in the department, called Roberts a wonderful
friend and colleague.
“
He was such a cheerful man,” Caputi said. “You couldn’t have
missed Edwin’s laughter.”
Caputi also reflected how Roberts brought her and other female colleagues boxes
of Godiva chocolate on special occasions.
Daniel O’Connor, a political science assistant professor, delivered a memorable
tribute to Roberts, praising his enthusiasm for teaching, as well as the volume
of his voice.
“
He was passionate and he was loud,” O’Connor said. “We have
lost one of our great fist-pounders and ranters.”
Students also had the chance to share memories of Roberts at the memorial. Ryan
Hammett, a graduate student in political science, was preparing to write a graduate
thesis with Roberts when he learned of his death.
“
I’ve lost my navigator,” Hammett said. “Words just can’t
explain Dr. Roberts.”
Roberts’ mother, Benita Roberts, addressed those in attendance, thanking
them for attending and remembering her son.
“
Thank you so much for remembering our dear Edwin in this special way,” she
said.
She went on to tell the crowd about her son’s childhood and his love for
collecting comic books. She spoke of how Roberts discovered acting while in junior
high, and how his love for philosophy began during his high school years.
“
He treated people the way he wanted to be treated,” Benita Roberts said,
directing her comments towards students. “You can honor your teacher by
striving to be the best human beings you can be.”
During an open microphone session students and faculty had the opportunity to
share their memories about Roberts and admired him as an inspiring intellectual.
One speech came from Daniel Lopez, a fifth-year political science major. Lopez
relayed the power of Roberts’ impact on his life not only as a student,
but also as a human being.
“
I think it was very true to the style Dr. Roberts promoted of the community coming
together,” Lopez said, reflecting on the memorial service.”“Dr.
Roberts is an experience, a mind-expanding experience, that you have to feel
in order to fully comprehend.”
Kimberly Clark, a senior political science major, took four classes with Roberts.
She felt he was one of the few professors who made students believe they could
do anything.
“
He made you believe that you could change the world,” Clark said.”“He’s
one of the few that made you believe you could.”
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