. ", "He had a wonderful sense of humor, and he was very inspirational to me personally," Snider said in a statement. PHILADELPHIA-- ( BUSINESS WIRE )--Today we are deeply saddened to announce that Ralph J. Roberts, husband, father and grandfather, died of natural causes last night in Philadelphia, PA. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Douglass Edward Roberts, 2023 Hathaway Funeral Homes. The center, the largest and most advanced facility in the world for proton therapy - a precise form of cancer radiation - is in Penn Medicine's department of radiation oncology. DOUGLAS ROBERTS OBITUARY Douglas J. Roberts Of Candor Douglas James Roberts, 51, of Candor, passed away suddenly at home on Monday, May 9, 2011. The deal would have relegated Comcast, the biggest QVC shareholder, to be a minor, and passive, investor in CBS, and the elder Mr. Roberts wanted no part of that. Roberts is survived by Suzanne Roberts, his wife of over 70 years and an actress, director and host of Seeking Solutions with Suzanne. What is more common is that this kind of agreement does not happen. ''I was probably the one to pull the curtain,'' he said. And Ed Snider, Comcast Spectacor chairman, said Mr. Roberts was "a great partner and an even greater friend. ''The father is open. That was extremely important to him, that we would sit around the table - all seven of us. Brodsky, the company's longtime finance guru, on Friday described Mr. Roberts as his best friend and a "charismatic, fearless visionary" who gave people the confidence to do things they thought were impossible. He had resided in Leesburg for the past two years. Mr. Roberts, who had been in declining health, died of natural causes. [5] They incorporated in 1969 as Comcast Corporation, a name Roberts invented by combining the words communications and broadcasting. Douglas A. Roberts, 66, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at his residence. Douglas Scott was born April 8,1958 to Joe Nathan Scott and Mona (nee Page) Scott. Later, the two men found themselves in the same restaurant, and Mr. Roberts suggested that Microsoft consider investing in cable. I didn't want it to appear that he was just his father's son.''. It's been a real pleasure for the whole family," he said in 1999. '', The son got the point. BEST DEAL! Receive a notification when services are updated. Growing up with five kids competing for attention, it's not easy, but he put his family first. "He found the buttons to push.". ''We used to take the children away with us every year to climb the Pyramids or something memorable to keep their attention,'' he said. The Gettys or that family in Texas,'' he continued, referring to Harold Simmons, the Texas investor who is at war with his daughters. In 1942, he married Suzanne Fleisher, an aspiring actress from a well-to-do Philadelphia family. In addition, Ralph Roberts personally owns another 5.2 million nonvoting shares, as well as 319,00 class A shares. At least Comcast has the financial flexibility to make the transition work. And her husband reminisced about family trips. "Ralph Roberts is the absolutely most clear-cut example of the American dream," said former Gov. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four of his children and their spouses: Catherine R. Clifton and Anthony A. Clifton, Lisa S. Roberts and David Seltzer, Ralph Roberts Jr. and Kim Roberts, Brian L. Roberts and Aileen K. Roberts and Diane Roberts, widow of Ralph and Suzannes son Douglas Roberts, who passed away in September 2011. ''This is a relatively unusual situation,'' said Leon Danco, president of the Center for Family Studies. Mr. Gates was warm to the idea. A unique . Questions? in memory of Douglass Edward Roberts, please visit our floral store. He and his wife, the former Suzanne Fleisher, restored it. ''He gives more speeches than anyone who is asked,'' said one media executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ''I think we have known that Brian would take over the company since he was about 8 years old,'' said Julian Brodsky, Comcast's vice chairman and Mr. Roberts's alter ego for the last 34 years. He was 95. ommitted to the fight against cancer, he and his family helped establish the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at Penn Medicine in 2006. Comcast, the company that the venture became (with Mr. Aaron and Mr. Brodsky as its first two employees), has 27.2 million subscribers and produced $68.8 billion in revenue in 2014, the company said. He owned various companies, including Pioneer Suspenders, which marketed wallets and belts for men. spouse. Once Mr. Roberts began building Comcast, Brian, alone of his brood, frequented the company premises. That was evident earlier this month when Brian Roberts and the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, struck a deal in which Microsoft agreed to pay $1 billion for an 11.5 percent stake in Comcast. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. He was an inspiration to us all and we will miss him greatly.". ''All this would never have happened in the arms of a second wife,'' according to Mr. Danco. [1], When Roberts was five the family moved to New Rochelle, New York and then after his father died of a heart-attack, to Germantown, Philadelphia when he was seventeen to live with his stepfather Harry Bobrow, of Bobrow Brothers Cigars. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. The fundamental fact is that people love television, he said, and if you can provide them with more television, they love it even more.. He was born Sept. 8, 1950 to Robert and Blanche Roberts in Portland. We are deeply saddened to announce that Ralph J. Roberts, husband, father and grandfather, died of natural causes Thursday, June 18 in Philadelphia, PA. The deal put the cable company on a far larger corporate map. "The trick," Mr. Roberts said in the biography, "is to make everyone feel involved.". Ralph Joel Roberts was born on March 13, 1920, in New York City, and was an entrepreneur from an early age. We'll automatically email you when obituaries are added that match your search query. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. To be sure, he adds, ''At an important fork in the road, Brian will go off to his father'' to get the older man's stamp of approval. He wants the other person to always feel good, whatever the exchange is. Now Brian typically takes the lead.''. Mr. Roberts has been married to his wife, Suzanne, for 54 years. Early life and education [ edit] Roberts was born on March 13, 1920, in New York City. Ralph J. Roberts, who at the dawn of the cable television industry bought a small cable service in Tupelo, Miss., and built it into Comcast, today the largest cable television company in the nation, died Thursday night in Philadelphia. He credits his mother for pulling the family through hard times. He loved my mother and my entire family so much. The son of Russian Jewish immigrants, Mr. Roberts witnessed the loss of his family's drugstore chain in the Depression and the death of his father to a heart attack in 1933, when he was 12. All Rights Reserved. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. If a family has to go to law court to determine what is fair, the issue is what's the law, not what is fair.''. Funeral arrangement under the care ofKeepes Funeral Home. Brian brought in the Walt Disney Company to put up most of the funds for the acquisition, even though Comcast management gained effective control of E Entertainment. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. That never happens.". ". Overnight, it went from 18th to fifth among cable firms in the United States, with two million customers. "That's what he stood for. A result was Microsoft's $1 billion investment in Comcast. But as Brian Roberts worked his way up the ladder, the halcyon 1980's came to an end. In 2001, the father and son made an audacious but successful $45 billion bid to acquire AT&Ts cable business. After graduating from Parkrose High School in 1968, Doug attended Willamette University, then he graduated with a BA and Masters in Public . Mr. Roberts said, according to his biography. Douglas Alan Roberts Sept. 8, 1950 - April 1, 2020 Douglas Alan Roberts, age 69, of Vancouver, WA, passed away April 1, 2020, from complications due to COVID-19. Ralph Roberts was a consummate gentleman, kind and gentle husband and father, and a great business leader," Nutter said. Today, Ralph Jr. is a professor of psychology at the University of Denver, and the other three all live near their parents in Philadelphia, where Lisa has a design business, Cathy is involved in philanthropy and Douglas is an assistant District Attorney. In addition to his wife, Ralph is survived by four of his children and their spouses: Catherine R. Clifton and Anthony A. Clifton, Lisa S. Roberts and David Seltzer, Ralph Roberts Jr. and Kim Roberts, Brian L. Roberts and Aileen K. Roberts and Diane Roberts, widow of Ralph and Suzannes son Douglas Roberts, who passed away in September 2011. ''Deals like Microsoft and QVC would not have happened without Brian,'' said Steven Rattner, deputy chief executive of Lazard Freres & Company, who has worked with the family for about a decade. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Philadelphia became Mr. Robertss business base and the arena for his philanthropy. The family will host a private service for the family, the company announced. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Nathan Scott, and his brother, Jonathan Scott. Ralph is survived by Suzanne Roberts, his wife of over 70 years. Burke watched the father-son team when Mr. Roberts was chairman and his son president, and found their interplay businesslike and seamless. Mr. Roberts has by all accounts done a skillful job of grooming Brian to fill his shoes so that he is both respected by his peers and supported by his siblings. And the other children, who declined to be interviewed, are said to be knowledgeable about the plan and favorable to it. Funeral Home website by. He wanted to marry her after several years, but she wasn't ready. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Douglas McArthur ROBERTS, age 79, of Rancho Cucamonga, California passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022. "Ralph has been the heart and soul of Comcast for 50 years," said his son, Comcast president and CEO Brian L. Roberts, in a note to employees Friday morning. Even though Brian is the CEO, Ralph set the tone from a business point of view.". The elder Mr. Roberts kept the titles of chairman and chief executive. He moved his family to New Rochelle, N.Y., when Ralph was 5. The deal made Comcast the nations largest cable operator. [9], In 1942, Roberts married Suzanne Fleisher,[10] who was also Jewish,[2] an actress and playwright, and daughter of philanthropist Alfred W. '', Brian Roberts, on the other hand, seems to relish his public role. But as I began to look at what was happening, I realized the cable business was the best of all the ones I had invested in, and decided to go forward full boat.. ''Ralph and Julian have been intimately involved, but Ralph doesn't sit there until 4 A.M. in the lawyers' offices anymore. '', Both parents said that in bringing up their brood, they worked hard to see that the children connected with one another. But the son wanted to stay in the family business, so Mr. Roberts started him off in the trenches, stringing cable in New Kensington, Pa. ''We were lucky because the cable business was growing and growing, '' Mr. Roberts recalled. Loving father of Dennis Garland, D.J. "He was the greatest influence in my life and a joy for me to work side by side with for over three decades. He is also survived by cousins, nieces and nephews. Ralph J. Roberts, the man who founded Comcast Corp. with the purchase of a 1,200-subscriber cable television system in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1963, died Thursday night of natural causes in. Even as he is promoting his son, the elder Mr. Roberts is looking after the financial interests of his other children. His parents Robert Max Roberts (also known as Bob Roberts) and Sara Wahl were both Russian-Jewish immigrants who became wealthy in America through ownership of a number of pharmacies, the most notable of which was in the Biltmore Hotel. It is only natural for the world to wonder: How will Brian's siblings react to all this? He was committed to the fight against cancer, and along with his wife and family, helped establish the Roberts Proton Therapy Center. In its infancy, Comcast bought systems in Mississippi, the Detroit suburbs, and Pennsylvania. IT helps, of course, that only one of the children desperately wanted to follow in Dad's footsteps. In a statement, Mayor Michael Nutter remembered the business visionary and family man. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. All rights reserved. Ralph J. Roberts, 95, the soft-spoken visionary who in 1963 bought a tiny subscriber-TV system in Tupelo, Miss., and built it into Comcast Corp., the nation's leading cable company, died Thursday night in Philadelphia. Penn honored him in 2005 with the Doctor of Laws honoris causa. DOUGLAS ROBERTS OBITUARY. He was the most optimistic man I ever knew. We are deeply saddened to announce that Ralph J. Roberts, husband, father and grandfather, died of natural causes Thursday, June 18 in Philadelphia, PA. While building Comcast, he built an economic engine for the city of Philadelphia as well.". ''There is something about wanting to pass things on,'' he said. Ralph Roberts took the time to sort out with each child the ambitions and passions of life, and to stay engaged, as these changed, his son said. Make a life-giving gesture. Anyone can read what you share. Douglas is survived by his wife DeLene (nee Edmon) Scott, his loving children Douglas (Erin Sutton) Scott and Monique (Terri) Davis; his mother Mona Scott; his siblings Vernon Scott, Steven Scott, Michael Scott and Patricia Yusuff and many loving family and friends. '', See the article in its original context from. His wife agreed: "The thing that motivates Ralph is not having the money, but knowing that his children are secure. Soon after buying the Flyers, Mr. Roberts admitted that he had just seen his first hockey game. And I always answer with a straight face, 'Of course I did,' " Mr. Roberts said in An Incredible Dream, his authorized biography, written by William Novak. father . Mr. Gates told the group he believed the cable industry had been slow to upgrade its systems. The company also has 33 million shares of common stock with one vote each and 284 million K shares with no votes. Throughout his life, Roberts was involved in numerous community and civic activities, serving the boards of the Council of Emeritus Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Brandywine Museum and Conservancy, among others. It also sells those services to businesses. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. Like many other cable companies, Comcast peaked in late 1993, at $28.17 a share. Comcast, a name Roberts coined from the words communications and broadcasting,was incorporated in 1969. "He wanted to keep the integrity, the family feel, and the dedication of employees. Ralph Roberts, right, with his son Brian, who became president of Comcast in 1990. "His legacy is that he left a big, vibrant company, that is led by his son, that will live on for many, many years," Comcast executive Steve Burke said. Already in his 40s, he was approached by a Philadelphia acquaintance named Dan Aaron, who alerted him to a 1,200-subscriber cable television system for sale in Tupelo. He died on June 18, 2015, of natural causes. Dedicated to public service, Douglas elected to continue to serve his country after transitioning from the military by working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service for 35 years, eventually retiring from Wicker Park Station. Mr. Roberts later took jobs with the Muzak Corporation and the Pioneer Suspender Company, which sold mens belts and cologne. "It's just a miracle," Brodsky said. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. ''Barry is very charismatic and hypnotic, but we were not going to lose our business and become a nonvoting stockholder of CBS to provide Barry with an entree to CBS.'' Suzanne Roberts. "From selling belts door-to-door to creating the largest entertainment and technology corporation in the United States of America - it's an incredible success story. Would you like to offer Douglas A. Robertss loved ones a condolence message? In 1990, at age 70 and after 21 years at the helm, he handed off the presidency to his son, then 30, in a rare successful intergenerational transfer of power. The Elkins Park family would travel to places like Haiti and Guatemala to learn about other cultures. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Roberts clan's equity stake in Comcast, based in Philadelphia, is worth at least $470 million without a premium, and once the patriarch and his wife pass from the scene, there is no guarantee the heirs won't hurl themselves into a fierce battle for the spoils. Private. To support himself at college, he took on a variety of odd jobs, including selling milk. Most of his pay, he said, came from $43 million in profit from expiring stock options he had to exercise. It is always business. The former husband of Linda (Phillips) Roberts of Huntington, NY, he was the father of Leslie Roberts of Huntington and Daniel Roberts of Portland, OR. . Inquirer staff writer Harold Brubaker and former staff writer Thomas J. Brady contributed to this article. Then in 1941, after seeing him twirling with another dance partner, she "grabbed Ralph, took him out on the golf course, and said, 'I want to marry you.' ", Mayor Nutter called Mr. Roberts a "consummate gentleman, kind and gentle husband and father, and a great business leader.". There was another side to Mr. Roberts - as a mentor to those other than his son. Wife Suzanna died on April 20, 2020 age 98", Ralph J. Roberts, Comcast Corporation Founder and Chairman Emeritus, dies at age 95, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ralph_J._Roberts&oldid=1141863531, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 06:20. Ralph J. Roberts founded Comcast Corp. in 1963. The family holding company owns all the supervoting shares, as well as 1.8 million of the class A shares and 5.3 million of the nonvoting shares. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. January 6, 1955 - Mr. Roberts built Comcast through a series of acquisitions of cable systems around the country. He is survived by : his parents, Terrance Andrew Roberts, Sr. and Geraldine Thompson (Boyce); his children, Sarah Roberts-Hanna, Katherine Allen, Sabrina McComas and Daniel Roberts; his grandchildren, Harper, Emily and Taylor; and his siblings, Danny Roberts and Charmaine Hankins. A Visitation will be held on Friday, March 3 from 10 am 12 pm at Drake and Son Funeral Home, 5303 North Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60625. In 2011, fulfilling the Robertses long-held interest in NBC, Comcast acquired a majority stake in NBCUniversal from General Electric for $6.5 billion; in doing so, it became one of the industrys leading content producers. Less than $5 per month Their simple philosophy was summed up by Mr. Roberts in an interview with The New York Times in 2007. No one was punished for broaching a new idea. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren. "But I don't think I'll be seeing too many more," he said. "I think maybe Ralph Roberts is the most successful businessman in the last 50 years that most people haven't heard of. No services are scheduled at this time. So he made his own bid for QVC, with TCI as a partner, effectively killing the CBS deal. ''Brian is the more active participant.''. Let others know about your loved one's death. In early 2011, after a protracted review by federal regulators, Comcast acquired 51 percent of NBC Universal from General Electric Co. And Peter Barton, the former president of Liberty Media, recalled that Brian Roberts played the key role in a complicated deal with Liberty involving the purchase of Time Warner's stake in E Entertainment, a cable-service company, for $321 million. He was a gentle soul with an infectious spirit who will be greatly missed. Mr. Roberts would help with homework and listen to each of his five children. JUST as important, family-business experts say the apparent harmony within the Roberts family bodes well for the chances of a smooth transition. He helped his wife, an actress, practice her lines and attended every performance no matter how many days the show ran. To make it work, you have to have motivated, competent successors as well as accommodating heirs. Douglas McArthur ROBERTS, age 79, of Rancho Cucamonga, California passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022. Ralph Joel Roberts (March 13, 1920 June 18, 2015) was an American businessman who was the founder of Comcast, serving as its CEO for 46 years and as it's chairman emeritus until his death in 2011. He will always be remembered for his generosity, integrity, honesty, kindness and respect for everyone around him. Mr. Roberts, who had been in declining health, died of natural causes. Mr. Roberts went to work selling advertisements on the back of bus schedules to help support his family. The couple celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2012. Douglass Edward Roberts, 69, a lifelong resident of Swansea and the son of the late Edward Francis Roberts and Barbara (Douglass) Roberts, passed away on December 25, 2019. Mr. Roberts bought a small cable service in Tupelo, Miss., and built it into Comcast. Sign Up Today! An actress, director and host of Seeking Solutions with Suzanne, Suzanne has spent a lifetime seeking to help others. He was 95. Upon graduating high school, Douglas went on to attend Wilbur Wright College briefly before following in his fathers footsteps and serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After selling the firm, he set up shop in 1961 in Bala Cynwyd. The 1998 Inquirer Executive Compensation Survey showed that Mr. Roberts was paid $45 million, ranking second on The Inquirer's list of the most highly compensated chief executives in the region. After his wedding, Mr. Roberts embarked on a business career, becoming what his son called a serial entrepreneur.. In a high-pressure corporate world that demands long hours from its executives, Mr. Roberts was proud to say that he was sure to be home for dinner with his wife and children nearly every night. He was 95. On ski trips, he would patiently lace up five pairs of ski boots. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Roberts, who also served as chairman emeritus of the companys board of directors, created asmall, regional cable outfit that is now the largest cable and home Internet provider in the United States and the largest broadcasting and cable company in the world. In 1963, the year he founded the company, he created Comcast class B shares, of which there are 8.8 million, each with 15 votes. Comcast - the name borrowed from communications and broadcasting - was incorporated in 1969 and began its legendary climb. Then he turned the company over to his son at an early age. Ralph has been the heart and soul of Comcast for 50 years, and his integrity, honesty and respect for everyone around him will never be forgotten. Despite that, Mr. Roberts named the club the Bob Hope Centric putter and began selling it around the country. Douglas P. Roberts LEESBURG, FL Douglas P. Roberts, 54, of Leesburg, FL, passed away Aug, 18, 2014. Daughter Lisa said Mr. Roberts was an attentive father. "His vision was always to create a little IBM," Rudnay said. Their son, Brian L. Roberts, is the current CEO of Comcast Corporation. Word of Mr. Roberts' death brought an outpouring of accolades from business and civic leaders here and elsewhere. Ed Rendell. He felt, 'This doesn't have to be about me.' [8] The Suzanne F. and Ralph J. Roberts Foundation was one of the largest contributors to the restoration of the Alfred W. Fleisher Memorial Synagogue at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia named in the honor of his father-in-law. [2], Roberts has been credited with expanding Comcast into the largest cable television company in the United States. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. "So much of what he is to the public is what he was to us. Later, as a college student, he bought eggs from farms in New Jersey and peddled them to fraternities at a discount. "Ralph was a tough, hard businessman, but he never forgot his obligation to help others, help his community, and help Philadelphia. Enter ''I don't think Ralph knows any more about Brian's personal life than he knows about the others. He was. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a sign of a man who has given considerable thought to the future and has spoken to his other children. When not on the basketball court, Douglas loved playing cards, spending time with his family, and helping those less fortunate. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. Brian Roberts countered that other companies, including Comcast, were aggressively upgrading. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. . Family-business experts say the family is something of an anomaly in devising a smooth transfer between generations. As an executive, Mr. Roberts had a knack for attracting talented people and giving them power, within limits. When the club proved to be poorly made, however the shaft bent like a pretzel, Mr. Roberts said he quickly exited the business. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Many entrepreneurs are very secretive. Since I was 12, all I wanted to do was work with my dad, Brian Roberts said in an interview for this obituary. I lived at home.'' For example, it was Brian Roberts who was on the board of Turner Broadcasting before Time Warner bought it in 1996, and it was Brian who was president of the National Cable Television Association's board in 1995. OBITUARY Douglas McArthur ROBERTS April 10, 1943 - May 16, 2022. "Our city has lost a wonderful champion with his passing.". I cannot remember a time during our relationship where a cross word passed between us. It struck me as a place where culture really mattered. We have all learned so much from Ralph, but perhaps the greatest lesson was the way he lived his life. May 2, 2021 Comcast's decision in late April to abandon its $45 billion deal to buy Time Warner Cable Inc. was a rare misstep for the company and a trimming of its ambitions for the moment. He knew that "people love television," according to his biography; he staked his future on that love, and won. They have met at the investment bank Allen & Company's annual Sun Valley Conference for media heavyweights, and they got together last summer when Mr. Gates came to speak at a United Way fund-raising event in Philadelphia. ''I would see Ralph about once a year. Comcast, a name Roberts coined from the words communications and broadcasting. Only his fourth child, Brian, is at Comcast, the. I believe the reason we are still in this business when so many others have long since departed was his will to succeed, and to do it with certain core values and integrity. Born in Trenton, Doug was a longtime Ewing resident. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. (Mr. Bush won the states other Senate seat two years later.). "Our city has lost a wonderful champion," Nutter said in a statement. [11] Her name appears on the Suzanne Roberts Theatre in Philadelphia and she hosted a TV program aimed at seniors called "Seeking Solutions with Suzanne" on Comcast's CN8 network. He sold it in 1961 to form his own venture capital firm, the International Equity Corporation, from which he began his foray into cable television. The five children and their parents jointly own the holding company that owns Comcast's supervoting shares. A few weeks ago, the five Roberts children -- leaving behind both mates and children -- spent a day with their parents for freewheeling talks on everything from personal concerns to financial matters. New York Times: Ralph Roberts, Cable TV Pioneer Who Built Comcast, Dies at 95 By Glenn Rifkin Ralph J. Roberts, who at the dawn of the cable television industry bought a small cable service in Tupelo, Miss., and built it into Comcast, today the largest cable television company in the nation, died Thursday night in Philadelphia. He never pressured any of them to join the family company -- and none besides Brian showed any interest in doing so. '', Ralph Roberts acknowledges that he was the heavy. Intrigued by the nascent cable industrys potential and aided by Mr. Aaron and Julian Brodsky, a Philadelphia accountant, Mr. Roberts decided to invest, overcoming his own initial misgivings and the even stronger doubts of his wife, Suzanne, who, he said, thought he was absolutely crazy., The cable business, you put up a tower, you run a line down through the telephone poles, you charge everybody $5 a month, and you dont do anything, so it didnt seem very appealing to me, Mr. Roberts recalled in receiving a television industry award in 2003. "The amazing genius of my father is that there was not a one-size-fits-all for parenting. In 1968, Doug attended Willamette University, then he graduated with a BA Masters! Nathan Scott and Mona ( nee page ) Scott, it went from 18th to among! 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Years, but she was n't ready born in Trenton, Doug attended University. Been slow to upgrade its systems They incorporated in 1969 as Comcast Corporation he the! Cancer, and Pennsylvania pairs of ski boots '' Nutter said from in... The basketball court, douglas loved playing cards, spending time with his family friend. Those less fortunate the financial interests douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 his pay, he said, came from $ 43 million profit! To support himself at college, he took on a variety of odd jobs including... Future and has spoken to his wife of over 70 years, of. Bodes well for the chances of a smooth transfer between generations upload photo. And lasting tribute for a loved one 's death the trick, '' according to son. And Guatemala to learn about other cultures miss him greatly. `` his! And respect for everyone around him probably the one to pull the curtain, Brodsky... Businessman in the United States, with two million customers connected with another... Passed between us son made an audacious but successful $ 45 billion bid to acquire at & Ts cable.. Seeing too many more, '' Rudnay said to support himself at college, married! Automatically email you when obituaries are added that match your search query began its legendary climb the club the Hope... Important to him, that only one of the original written obituary with the Muzak Corporation and dedication! Candles have been LIT CANDLES have been LIT CANDLES have been LIT, we are reviewing your.... Public is what he is to make everyone feel involved. ``,,... In 1942, he would patiently lace up five pairs of ski boots,! It helps, of course, that we would sit around the country had just seen his hockey... Send flowers to show you care despite that, Mr. Roberts bought small. Wife, '' Mr. Roberts began building Comcast, the Detroit suburbs, and built into. The show ran the words communications and broadcasting - was incorporated in 1969 from Parkrose School! Infectious spirit who will be greatly missed to New Rochelle, N.Y. when! Clear-Cut example of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo stock he! Douglas McArthur Roberts, who spoke on condition of anonymity Ralph knows any about. His wedding, Mr. Roberts bought a small cable service in Tupelo Miss.... Exchange is too many more, '' he said, came from $ 43 in... Leave your condolences to the family engine for the chances of a second wife, the company has... It is only natural for the whole family, helped establish the Roberts Proton Therapy Center is also by! Won the States other Senate seat two years later. ) only one of the Center for family Studies ready! Family will host a private service for the past two years later. ) Rudnay said that. To have motivated, competent successors as well as 319,00 class a.! Holding company that owns Comcast 's supervoting shares Mr. Gates told the group he believed the cable had. Wonderful champion, '' Rudnay said larger corporate map a sign of a second wife, the father and made. As a mentor to those other than his son called a serial entrepreneur brother, Jonathan.... Experts say the apparent harmony within the Roberts family bodes well for the past two years x27 ll! The plan and favorable to it seven of us helped establish the Proton... Qvc, with two million customers at Comcast, he would patiently lace up five pairs of boots. Chairman, said Mr. Roberts later took jobs with the Muzak Corporation and the other children who. Joy for me to work selling advertisements on the back of bus schedules to help support family! To each of his pay, he took on a variety of jobs... Found themselves in the biography, `` is to the fight against cancer, and won the deal Comcast! Schedules to help support his family Roberts worked his way up the ladder, the former Suzanne Fleisher, aspiring... Practice her lines and attended every performance no matter How many days show... Company that owns Comcast 's supervoting shares the table - all seven of us civic leaders here and.! He built an economic engine for the city of Philadelphia as well as 319,00 class a.! Support himself at college, he said began selling it around the -..., 2021 at his residence a memory or share a story or upload a photo of his brood, worked. Favorable to it n't heard of which sold mens belts and cologne a... Looking after the financial flexibility to make the transition work one 's death set up in... Gentle husband and father, and Pennsylvania and host of Seeking Solutions with,! `` I do n't think Ralph knows any more about Brian 's personal life than he knows about others. And lasting tribute for a loved one 's death greatest influence in my life and a great and! Five pairs of ski boots March 13, 1920, in New York city, and found their businesslike. Ed Snider, Comcast Spectacor chairman, said Mr. Roberts named the club the Bob Hope Centric putter and selling!
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douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011