Charles C. Roberts

Colonel Charles C. Roberts, USA, Ret 88, of Rapid City SD, formerly of Middleton RI, died Friday, January 25, 2008 at Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, SD.He married 2Lt Janina Patykula, USA Nurse Corps, on August 11, 1942. Born in East Milton, MA on January 10, 1920, he was the son of the late Chester W. and Genevieve Gansouenat Roberts.He graduated from Quincy High School in 1939. During his senior year he enlisted in the Mass National Guard and attended the Mass Military Academy. Called to active duty on September 16, 1940, he was later selected to attend the first OCS class at Fort Monroe VA, where he received his Army Commission as a 2nd Lt. in the Air Defense Artillery on October 3, 1941. He was then assigned to the 11th Coast Artillery, Fort H.G. Wright, Fishers Island NY.During WWII, due to his knowledge of the French language, he was assigned to Allied Hq. Algiers North Africa as a liaison officer to the First French Army which was commanded by General de Lattre de Tassigny. He participated in the Allied landings on the Island of Elba and the Operation Dragoon landing in Southern France. He was assigned as liaison officer to a 105mm Howitzer Bn manned by Moroccan Goumier Troops from North Africa. Later, while in France and Germany, he was assigned to the Operation Section of the 6th Army Group Hq as Liaison Officer to the First French Army Hgs, coordinating combat orders between US and French Forces. During this assignment he was promoted to Major.After WWII, the majority of his assignments were in the Logistic Career Field. He served in the Philippines, in Japan on General McArthurs staff, in Korea, and Alaska. In 1957, he commanded the 41st Air Defense Arty Bn Nike Ajack Fort Totten NY and in 1960 the 1st Missile Bn Nike Hercules Fort Niagara Youngstown, NY.He retired from the Army on October 1, 1967 after 27 years of active duty. During his military career he was awarded the following decorations: USA Legion of Merit, USA Bronze Star Medal, Department of Army Commendation Medal Received four times, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal With one star, US World War II Medal, Army Occupation Medal Japan, National Defense Medal With Oak leaf, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Expert Marksmanship Medal Carbine and Pistol, and the French Croix de Guerre Received two times.Retiring to Middletown, RI, he worked for the Raytheon Co., Portsmouth, RI. In 1969, he was appointed the first full time Finance Director for the Town of Middletown and in 1985 appointed Town Administrator until his retirement on September 1989. He was a member of the Coasters Harbor Navy Yacht Club Commodore for 1 year, The Retired Officers Assn., Veterans of Foreign Wars Assn., and the Middletown Historical Society. He was instrumental in, and involved on a daily basis, during the two year project restoring the historic Boyds Windmill in Middletown RI.Besides his wife of 65 years, he leaves three sons, Dr. Charles C. Roberts Jr. Lydia of Big Rock, IL, Dr. Chester R Roberts Mary Lou of Rapid City, SD and Thomas E. Roberts Kathi of Ridge, MD, nephew James Lisbakken, six grandchildren: Jeffrey Janelle, Ariel, Collette, Matthew, Genevieve John and 2 great grandchildren: Jordyn Mckenzie.He was the brother of the late Genevieve Lisbakken.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Middletown Rescue Wagon Fund, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI 02842.His funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2008, at 9:00am in St. Marys Church, Spring Street, Newport. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, from 4-7 pm at the Hambly Funeral Home Brick House, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport.