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<p><em>Herbert Ray Roberts</em> was born July 29, 1944 in Charleston, WV to Jesselyn Bunch Roberts and Herbert Roberts Jr. He had one younger sister, Barbara. His father was an infantry noncomissioned officer, and Herb was raised with the military in his blood. After graduating from Baker High School in Columbus, GA, Herb wanted to attend West Point but initially was unable to get an appointment. He attended Cornell University for three years until his indomitable spirit and determination finally led to an appointment with the Class of 1970.</p>
<p>Herb’s father was the Army Pistol Team coach at West Point, and Herb quickly demonstrated his legendary marksmanship with the team, helping it to win many matches, especially over Navy.</p>
<p>Herb’s father, who could have stayed at West Point as coach until his retirement, chose to answer the call of duty and deployed to Vietnam in 1967 as the sergeant major of 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. Tragically, he was killed in action on December 20, 1967. He is interred at the West Point Cemetery.</p>
<p>Herb’s strength of character (as demonstrated by his determination to get into West Point), his moral fiber in dealing with his father’s death, and his attitude about living earned him the respect of all his classmates. Because of his “seniority,” Herb was older and wiser than most cadets and was quickly recognized by many upperclassmen long before Recognition during Graduation Week. Always extremely dedicated, Herb studied diligently, checking the sally port for grades nearly every day. But he also found ways to be part of his company through his spirited good humor. One memorable time was when he went to Florida for a pistol match. Jokingly, one of his roommates asked Herb to send him an alligator from Florida. A couple of days later a package arrived in the mail, and inside was a live baby alligator, absolutely shocking his roommate! How long the alligator stayed in their room, and how it eventually “departed” remain classified.</p>
<p>Herb loved adventure. On a break before the start of First Class year, Herb decided to go on a solo hike in Tanzania in the Crossroads Africa program. Not realizing a rebellion was beginning, Herb had his passport and other goods stolen by an armed gang. Feeling lucky to be alive, Herb, with only the clothes on his back, made it to the U.S. Embassy in a three-day “recondo” trek. Upon arrival at the embassy, after a heated exchange, the Marine guard believed his story and Herb gained entrance. With his new passport, he returned fearing what kind of “slug” he was going to get when he reported back to West Point.</p>
<p>Herb met Joann Birkelund at Plebe Parent Weekend in the spring of 1967, and by Armed Forces Day in May he knew she would be his sweetheart forever. They were married at the West Point Chapel on June 6, 1970.</p>
<p>Herb was commissioned in the Infantry, and his first assignment was with the 509th Airborne Infantry Brigade in Germany. A few years later Herb made a major career change, choosing to follow his heart and become a doctor. After graduating from the University of Missouri Medical School, he was assigned to the OB/GYN department at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.</p>
<p>Subsequent assignments followed, rotating between the medical commands at Fort Belvoir, VA and in Korea until his retirement as a colonel in 1990. One of his fondest memories was delivering babies for a number of his WestPoint classmates.</p>
<p>Herb then joined the OB/GYN medical practice at the Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, DC. During the First Gulf War, “Dr. Herb” was often seen as a spokesperson on national television discussing the special challenges of women in combat. In 2002 he accepted the post as chairman of the OB/GYN department at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in Wellsboro, PA. Herb loved delivering babies, and his bulletin boards were filled with “thank you” pictures from many moms and dads.</p>
<p>Aside from his career as a doctor, Herb was avid sportsman. He hunted elk and deer and was always a great hunting companion. On one solo hunt Herb heard a cry for help and found a hunter who had fallen from a tree stand and had been hanging for hours upside down with his harness restricting blood supply to his legs. Herb’s actions in not only getting him down from the tree but also in providing the correct medical treatment saved the hunter’s life and legs.</p>
<p>Herb and Joann and their children—Evan, Charles and Christopher—enjoyed many adventures together all over the world. In his final years, he continued his adventures with his grandchildren: Eric, Jesselyn and Charlene (children of Charles and Kaori). Herb passed away on January 14, 2025 with his precious family surrounding him with loving care.</p>
<p>Well done, good and faithful servant, husband, father and cherished friend.</p>
<p><em>— Family and Classmates</em></p>
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