Albert Newton "Newt" Roberts Jr.

Albert Newton (Newt) Roberts, Jr. passed away at home, February 28, 2013 in the loving care of his family, after suffering for the past 7 years with dementia. Newt was born in St. Ignatius Hospital on November 23, 1925, the third child of four born to his parents, Albert N. and Margaret M. (Dwyer) Roberts of Charlo, Montana.
Raised on the family dairy farm west of Charlo, he had a good childhood, full of hard work, milking cows and doing chores before and after school. He attended Ridgeway School, one of the few old country schools still standing in Lake County, for the first five elementary years, then the remaining 6 through 12 grades he rode the school bus into Charlo and graduated from Charlo High in 1944.
Immediately upon graduating he joined the Navy and was an anti-aircraft gunnery instructor at the U.S. Naval Air Station Grosse Isle, Michigan. After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, he returned to Charlo, marrying Emma Evans his high school sweetheart August 20, 1947. They moved to Dillon, MT where Newt received his teaching degree at Western MT College. After teaching and serving as a principal for a total of seven years in Wyola and Pablo, MT, they moved to Polson in 1957 where Newt taught junior high math and English for 28 years. He was a good and kind teacher with many kids recalling him as their favorite.
A much respected business man, Newt along with Emma owned and operated the A & W Root Beer Drive-In for 20 years in Polson. In 1974, he became a founder and member of the board of directors of the First Citizens Bank, the only locally owned bank in Polson, remaining on the board for 31 years.
He was a charter member of the Polson Lions Club, being awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow award for his dedicated humanitarian services. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus to the fourth degree and dedicated many hours of volunteer time to the Immaculate Conception Parish and community for most of his life in Polson. One time he was helping to put up the manger scene at the church and Father Jensen came along to see how it was going. Dad said "good, but I need to go over and help the Mormon's for a while, and then I'll come back and get her done". He loved and respected everyone without reservation; always willing to lend a hand. He enjoyed his work, his many friendships; travel in later years, holidays, gardening, dancing, riding bicycles and walking but most of all spending time with his grandchildren and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, John Roberts, sister, Catherine Pettit and a daughter-in-law and great grandson, as well as many brother and sister-in-laws on Emma's side of the family.
He is survived by his loving wife Emma with whom he had 65 happy years and their five children, Stanley of Victor, Dan(Linda) of Polson, Don of Sidney, Mike of Polson, and Cathy(Jack)Francis of Missoula, as well as thirteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. Newt is also survived by his brother Bill (Leila)Roberts of Charlo and many nieces and nephews.
Vigil and Rosary will be Friday, March 8, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Saturday, March 9th at 10:30 am. Burial at the Ronan Cemetery will follow Mass and Reception. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

Read Albert "Newt" Roberts, Jr.'s Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.