Alfred Roberts Jr

Alfred John Roberts, Jr., died Thursday, April 25, 2013, in Mancos, Colo. of natural causes. He was 92. Alfred lived in Durango since 2002. He was born January 2, 1921, in Los Angeles, Calif., son of Alfred John Roberts, Sr. and Anna Seivers Roberts. He earned a BS in both Chemical and Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California. His first marriage, September 11, 1949, to Carol Butler in Los Angeles ended with her death in Sedona, Ariz., in 1994. Years later, he married Margaret Austin in Sedona in 1997. Alfred did secret work during WWII specializing in ceramic solutions incorporated in rocket nozzles (JATO), radio chassis and nuclear bombs. He worked at the Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power for 40 years, rising through sales and marketing, to become General Manager of Power Services in the late 1960's and 70's. After retirement, he worked with Dippell Realty for a few years and also ran his own company, Association Administrators. At various times, Alfred was at the head or on the board of the American Public Power Association, the American Homebuilders' Association, the Los Angeles Harbor Association, the Los Angeles Headquarters City Association, The Electric League and Rotary International. He was also a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers. He served as head of the vestry for St. James Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. Al was the person who discovered the matchbook cover, blocking the doorway lock in the Watergate Hotel that led to the national Watergate Scandal. He was a gentleman farmer for many years, owning an avocado ranch in Southern California and keeping bees. He remained passionate about science throughout his life. Alfred leaves behind his wife of 15 years, Margaret Austin Roberts and two children, John Clarke Roberts of Tigard, Ore., and Alice Virginia Roberts Stattman of Cottonwood, Ariz. He also leaves behind four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial service on Monday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m., at Hood Mortuary, 1261 E. 3rd Ave., Durango.