Gerald Roberts

Gerald William Roberts, known as "Jerry" to friends and family, was born September 14, 1932 in Whitmore Lake, MI to Judson and Ada Roberts. He passed away peacefully on December 21, 2025 at his home in Kalamazoo, MI surrounded by family. Jerry graduated 8th grade as part of a class of 6 students from The Whitmore Lake School, then went on to Ann Arbor High School. Jerry got his BA at The University of Michigan where he met the love of his life, Elaine Gulden. He was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. After college he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Devens in Massachusetts. He and Elaine got married in 1954, during a brief weekend pass from the army from which the new groom barely returned in time. Once honorably discharged, Jerry returned to University of Michigan Business School where he got his MBA. He and Elaine then moved to Kalamazoo where they had four children: Wendy, Christopher, Jay & Andrew. Jerry had a long career in accounting and finance at the Upjohn Company. He also set up accounting systems for Upjohn subsidiaries which sent he & Elaine to live in Porto, Portugal and Madrid, Spain for several years. They took this opportunity to travel widely throughout Europe. Over the years Jerry was involved in many aspects of Kalamazoo community life. He was a member of the Jaycees, and served on the boards of The Arc and Planned Parenthood. He also served as Treasurer for Colleagues International (now called GlobalTies). He was the President of the Parkview Hills Community Association and also President & a board member for The Cliffs. As longtime members of The First Congregational Church they were active until the present, singing in the choir and serving on various committees. Jerry was on the church finance committee and was the chairman of the Church Organ Committee which researched, raised funds for, and bought a new organ for the church. Jerry enjoyed many things including a lifelong passion for the University of Michigan football team, sailing, cars, country music and the beach at South Haven. He could fix anything and always said when singing with the choir you would never hear him make a mistake. He was a loving and supportive father to his children, and an adoring husband to Elaine. Elaine and he celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary just a few days before his passing. He died with his family around him after a long and full life where he gave so much love and support to so many. He is survived by his wife Elaine Roberts of Kalamazoo; his daughter Wendy Roberts and her husband Nick Didkovsky of New York City, NY; his son Chris Roberts of Kalamazoo; his son Jay Roberts and his wife Allison Cooley of Madison, WI; and his son Drew Roberts of Jersey City, NJ and his grandchildren Leo and Sasha Didkovsky, Katherine Roberts and Katherine's mother, Teresa Radermacher. He is being cremated and his remains will be buried at Fort Custer. A memorial will be held in the spring.