David Roberts Obituary

David ""Dave"" Noel Roberts, DDS

Dave Roberts passed away peacefully at Vista Grande Rehabilitation & Care Center on February 28, 2016 as a result of a stroke. A resident of Cortez since 1958, Dave was 86 years old.

Born in Casper, Wyoming, the son of Edward Noel and Lenore Roberts, Dave was accompanied in birth by his twin sister Sally. When he was 9 years old, his family moved to Whiting, Indiana where he graduated from George Rogers Clark High School. As a champion wrestler in high school, he was never pinned and only lost two matches by decision. He went on to receive his bachelor's degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. While at DePauw, he fell in love with his wife-to-be, Ruthann ""Danny"" Inlow. Dave and Danny were married in Greencastle on June 15, 1952.

Although he was initially interested in forestry as a career and retained his love for the great outdoors throughout his life, dentistry became his chosen calling. Dave continued his education at the Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis, Indiana and received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. During their time in Indianapolis, Dave and Danny became parents of their first child, Andrew. As Dave would tell the story, he was so excited after the birth that he ran into the main hall of the dental school and exclaimed to all his classmates, ""It's a baby!""

After receiving his DDS degree, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and the young family moved to F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he practiced dentistry for two years in the base dental clinic and attained the rank of Captain.

While touring southwestern Colorado, Dave and Danny fell in love with the scenery and town of Cortez. He and his family moved to Cortez in 1958, where he established a dental practice that would last 41 years. After moving to Cortez, Dave and Danny were blessed with two more children, Laura and Sarah, both born at Southwest Memorial Hospital.

Dave was a lifelong parishioner at St. Barnabas of the Valley Episcopal Church where he served in various positions, including Senior Warden, and was instrumental in the establishment of the church camp at Ilium. He was also a member of the local chapter of Rotary International.

Well loved by his patients, he became affectionately known as ""DR"". He was famous for his gentle and calming chairside manner and is remembered for humming while he worked, saying ""You'll only feel a pinch"" before delivering an anesthetic injection and naming such things as ""Silver Fingers"" for extraction forceps, ""Happy Gas"" for nitrous oxide, ""Mr. Buzzby" for the slow-speed handpiece and ""The Ditch"" for the gum cuff around teeth. He was selfless in his dedication to dentistry and would provide care without hesitation for patients in distress after hours and on weekends.

In keeping with his love of the outdoors, Dave's hobbies included jeeping, hiking, skiing, yardwork and spending time and working at the family cabin at Trout Lake. He especially loved the area around Telluride because of its outstanding natural beauty and storied history. He also made many trips to Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada, where he and family members would enjoy vacation time on an island there. Later in life, he and Danny rekindled friendships with his classmates, ""The Wespark Gang"", from George Rogers Clark High School on several annual group trips to various parts of the country.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, John Roberts. Dave is survived by his wife, Ruthann ""Danny"" Inlow Roberts of Cortez, CO; his children, Andrew Roberts (Acelia) of Lakewood, CO, Laura McHenry (Steve) of Cortez, CO, and Sarah Howe (James) of Lakewood, CO; his four grandchildren, Josh McHenry (Melissa Yoakum), Aaron McHenry, Rachel Bailey (Sam), and John Roberts (Lauren DeGeorge); his two great grandchildren, Julia and Wyatt Yoakum; and by his twin sister, Sarah ""Sally"" Albert of California.

Cremation has already taken place; a private service will be held and Dave's ashes will be inurned in the columbarium at St. Barnabas. No paragraph break here A Celebration of Life gathering is scheduled for 4:00 PM, April 30, 2016 at Mary Blake Hall at St. Barnabas. All are invited to attend the Celebration of Life gathering; please bring nothing but remembrances.

Condolences may be sent to http://www.ertelfuneralhome.com under ""Obituaries"", ""Current Services"". Donations can be made to the Indiana University School of Dentistry scholarship fund (https://www.dentistry.iu.edu/index.php/giving-and-alumni/) in Dave's name to help further the education of future dentists.

Special thanks to Dr. Heyl and the staff at Vista Grande Rehabilitation & Care Center for the kind and caring treatment that Dave received at the end of his long, full and productive life. The family is grateful that he had a good life and a peaceful death.