James (Jim) Howard Roberts was born on May 29, 1939 in Adrian, Michigan and passed away on May 20, 2023 of Dementia and complications of COVID at Aspen Ridge Memory Care Unit, with his wife Karin by his side.
Jim spent his early years in Monrovia, California and graduated from Monrovia High School in 1957. He then enlisted in the Army and became a paratrooper. Upon his discharge from the Army, Jim entered Frank Wiggins Trade School and became a machinist.
Always loving adventure and travel, Jim made a cross-country bicycle ride from Monrovia to New York City. In 1962 Jim worked his way to Europe on a freighter and then toured Europe for six months. At this time he met his wife, Karin, in Florence, Italy at a Youth Hostel. After two years of correspondence between California and Denmark, they became engaged when Jim visited Karin in Denmark. July 10, 1965 the couple married in Sonderborg, Denmark. After a honeymoon camping across the United States, the couple moved to San Gabriel, California. Jim first worked at Bell and Howell, and then went on to work for JPL. After their son, Mark, was born in 1973, the family moved to Los Alamos and Jim began his career at Los Alamos National Laboratory and retired after 26 years in 1999.
Jim and Karin enjoyed camping all over the West and other parts of the country. They discovered cruising after their retirement and spent 400 days at sea visiting many places around the world. His favorite cruise was going from San Francisco ending up in Rio de Janeiro. Jim liked a rough sea and was disappointed when they went around Cape Horn and it was calm! Jim was an avid student of World War II. He liked to do photography of their many trips in his later years. Having lived in White Rock almost 49 years, he enjoyed his long-term friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his wife, Karin (Andersen) Roberts, of 57 years and their son, Mark, his wife, Kelsey, and two granddaughters, Hannah and Corinne; his brother, Thomas Roberts, his wife, Marion, and numerous nieces and nephews; in Denmark by his sister-in-laws, Marian Hansen and Christa Larsen, and nieces.
No funeral service will be held. Jim’s cremated remains will be placed in the columbarium at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to LA Cares, P.O. Box 248, Los Alamos, NM 87544 or the American Red Cross of New Mexico, 2121 Osuna Road, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113.
While Jim was still at home, the family appreciated the care given by Michelle Carter. We also appreciated the care given to Jim by the staff at Aspen Ridge Memory Care Unit and Hospice.
Please leave any digital condolences and memories of Jim for Karin and her family at www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com