With heavy hearts we announce the loss of our beloved father, Commander Richard Scott Roberts, known as Scott or 'Scotty'. Fate took him by means of a stroke, peacefully around 0300 on 12 Nov. 2024 in Tucson, Arizona at 73 years of age.

Life began for him in Burlington, Iowa on 30 May of 1951.

He appreciated the era he grew up in and the land. Shared many stories of life and friends there. Time on the Mississippi river, taking grandma out on the boat, cruisin' in 55 Chevies, good music and a simpler time. He graduated from Burlington Community High School and also happily made a new home and family in Colorado. He took many adventures from there, enjoyed his family and started an education and career as follows but not limited to:

Bachelor's in criminal justice, CSU Colorado; Master's in criminal justice from the University of Alabama. Police academies, University of Louisville Kentucky; studies in forensic psychology at Wittfield University, Cambridge, UK; Rutgers university, National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, MD. Also he was an instructor at Columbia College, a professor of criminology, an international instructor/ trainer&  leader in officer survival and criminal investigations. Worked for the Department of Justice doing such work as an analyst. In a second retirement he led anti- terrorism training camps.

His career began in the small town where he started a family. His career exploded, he wore many hats and became a highly decorated retired law enforcement officer. Started as a peace officer in Berthoud, Colorado which quickly led to titles of senior office and acting chief. He held a second job as a ranger at Carter Lake with Larimer County recreation. In the late 70's he grew out of that and joined the Loveland Police Department. Here had accepted numerous awards for: officer of the year, arson investigator of the year, and awarded 2 meritorious service medals. He helped and jumped in and saved lives and lives of small children from fire in two separate incidents. One he extinguished a fire and evacuated a family, another he ran into a burning apartment and evacuated families. And also honored with meritorious medal in a homicide case. 6 official commendations in valor and life. It wasn't long with LPD before his titles changed to detective and senior investigator. Also gained awards for contributions to the DEA and CIA. He began special operations within the unit like G.A.N.G. stop violence and was SWAT team lead.

At some point in the late 80s he became part of the national accreditation team with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police due to his assistance on a homicide case.

He also worked with Department of Justice,  FBI ,Homeland security and was an ER response trainer.

He retired from Loveland Police in 1996 and gained many buddies in that time.

He was also a Kentucky Colonel.  Signed by Governor Patton of Kentucky in 1999.

He then did more work with D.O.J. , homeland security and traveled the world. He was approached by the Clinton administration and taught officer survival and criminal investigations internationally. This was more like a military trainer position. For instance, he trained 7,000 plus cadets in the late 90's. He went to Haiti and trained the Haitian National Police officers in human rights and weapon use in order to create a more civil international police. And was successful. He had visited Guatemala on  a similar mission, this was quite dangerous work.  Then he worked for the U.S. Marshals service and naturally earned more awards, various ethics awards and was noted ' a fine character of high ethics'. He worked several inaugurations with the protection team. He had met President George W. Bush Sr., President Bill Clinton, and President Obama!

He was also working another position that he gained a second retirement from at RTD, in Denver. Here he and 3 others were the first to establish transit police in Colorado, high security for the transit system. He also worked security at Broncos games and trained others at anti- terrorism training camps on the side.  He was a good Spanish speaker with an extensive training record with firearms, bombs, homicide and narcotics. An award winning marksman.

When not working or enjoying family and friends he was also a good hunter. He was a very active and outdoors man. He liked traveling and motorcycle runs. He also enjoyed listening to bagpipes and appreciated Native American and Mexican culture. He  was in martial arts, an archer,  was a good writer and   played the saxophone in youth. Liked palm trees and  absolutely loved the water. And was a certified open water diver.

Besides growing up in Iowa wanting to be an astronaut or cowboy as a kid and finally making cowboy of sorts with the  U.S. Marshals.  He was a great leader, father, family member and friend. 

After his second retirement he fell into an unfortunate decline on health, however this didn't stop him from enjoying his retirement and family. He was happy.  Overcame much adversity overtime and included lasik, he considered himself like the ' bionic man', and had fun. He even had a certificate from a bulletproof mind training.

He traveled and moved to sunny Arizona and after some time off he even returned to work in security until 2024! Family was very important to Scott, and he was happy to be near family or traveled to see family.  He cherished time with  his adored granddaughters. 

He was loyal, genuine and saw the best in everyone. He saw the beauty in humanity and often try to catch this in photos during exotic travels. He really saw the beauty in everyone and wanted the best for his friends and family, sharing in any success. He worked hard and played hard, typically saying goodbye with  'stay safe and have fun'. 

He felt very blessed in life to have a family, kids, and grandkids. He was an honest , good Christian man who would help anyone he could. He was a highly supportive father, and always provided an open door to his cozy home to many. He had a huge heart and a good sense of humor. He took things as they came and was easy going and fun to be around, often saying ' take it easy'. He was generous, kind, and believed 'A little common decency never hurt anyone'. For those who would meet him for the first time , they'd refer to him as a nice guy to talk to and a good man. 

He was a great dad who balanced a demanding career with family. He made time to play and told bedtime stories he created of two bears who went on adventures and got in and out of troubles . He would be so tired from work, but we could still get a story out of him. We'd make snowmen, go sledding, and on family road trips. And he remained a dear friend throughout adulthood. He was dependable and appreciated the same. He loved his family and friends.

He fully took joy in his time in Arizona having fun with family under his orange and palm trees.  A collection of memories from family are:

-He was all about adventures, living and making memories. -He was a kind elder.   -memories of when he taught us to make bow and arrows out of tree branches . -That he welcomed most everybody and was pleasant to talk to. He also drew a great roadrunner!

A fun and a dear friend.  And kind to all of families friends too. A truly nice guy with class who received thank you letters globally.

He never did hide that life isn't fair, it is good to remember in times like these. 

Quoted from a BCHS newsletter...

" In the end, all that really matters are the wives, husbands, sons, daughters & family. Everything else is just stuff". And believed, 'to treasure the small things in life because when you look back they will have turned into the big things, fun things, and memories. ' "-R.S.R. 2009

Predeceased by: Mother Dorothy Schwenker- VanHorn, his father by marriage Walter Schwenker and birth father Daryl Roberts.

Survived by:  3 children from a former marriage to Karen Klaassen: Two daughters, Sarah Roberts and one more daughter, and a son Shadrock Roberts. And  2 grandchildren, Raeleen Roberts and one more granddaughter.  Some brothers, Steven Roberts  and William Schwenker. He also met in Adulthood  3 more brothers in Oregon from a second marriage. And numerous 'buddies' friends,  and relatives.

Member of: Blue Knights Int. Law enforcement motorcycle club; Int. Police Association, U. S. Section #17; member of  accreditation team with the R.C.M.P, Canada.

Private visitation was in Tucson, Arizona of  November 2024.

A public memorial service or celebration of life will be held in Colorado , where he was in process of relocating back to. In Denver area or northern Colorado in spring/ summer of 2025. 

Service times maybe updated. There maybe another private service for family held.

His name is written as Richard S  Roberts on the millennium wall in Gisborne, New Zealand. Where sunrise shines on the names of those with a vision of a hopeful and peaceful future. 

His golden heart will be missed. With thank you letters from all around the world,  light deserves to shine on his name everyday. 

💙Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace. Amen🍊

Psalm 23🕊️

Song '.Stand by me' Ben E. King

Police Ode

by Rev. Barry May

As the sun surely sets,

dawn will see it arise.

For service above self,

demands it’s own prize.

You have fought the good fight,

life’s race has been run,

and peace, your reward,

for eternity begun.

And we that are left,

shall never forget,

rest in peace friend and colleague,

for sun has now set.

We will remember, We will remember,

hasten the dawn.

Full article he wrote in Burlington newsletter. Maybe found here .

www.burlingtonmemories.com

U may contact me at rsrestate@proton.me if want copy sent through email. Limited resources. Not scanned in. But could photo it and send .regards .thanks for taking a moment to honor Scott!

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