Delmar Louis Roberson died on April 4, 2024 at his home in Manhattan Kansas.
Delmar was born on the family farm north of Burr Oak in Jewell County, Kansas, on June 7, 1937, the youngest of four children of Loren and Ethel “Mae” (Ford) Roberson. His early education was in one-room country schools before attending high school at Miltonvale Wesleyan Academy and then junior college at Miltonvale Wesleyan College where he met the love of his life, Virginia Frances Buck. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and later a master’s degree in education, both from Kansas State University.
Delmar and Virginia were married on June 18, 1958, and this union was blessed with four children. Delmar was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and spiritual role model for his family. His kind and gentle spirit will be missed by those who knew him.
His first job out of college was teaching Vocational Agriculture at Bird City High School in northwest Kansas, which was interrupted when his National Guard unit was activated during the Berlin Crisis. After completing his service, he returned to Bird City to finish his teaching contract and then took a job teaching Vo-Ag at Mankato for two years. The family then moved to Washington, Kansas where he began his career with the USDA as a soil conservationist. His appointment as the District Conservationist in Mitchell County took them to Beloit, where he served for the next 27 years. In 1999 he and Virginia retired and moved to Manhattan where Delmar embarked on his next career of painting houses, which he continued for the rest of his life.
Delmar had a natural love of the land and the heart of a farmer, feeling a special connection to the family farm north of Burr Oak, where he spent as much time as possible. He was also an avid reader and a life-long fan of K-State basketball. He and Virginia enjoyed traveling in their retirement, visiting every state except Hawaii. They especially enjoyed a six-week long trip exploring Alaska. Although quiet and introverted, he had a genuine interest in people and often returned from their trips with stories of people they met along the way.
A humble and generous man, he was known to be ready and willing to help anyone in need. More than anything, Delmar was a servant of the Lord. He was a devoted member of the Glen Elder Friends Church and taught adult Sunday school for many years before moving to Manhattan where he was a member of Westview Community Church and an active member of the local Gideons, including the jail ministry.
Delmar is survived by his wife, Virginia of Manhattan; daughter Dawn Kingery and her husband Scott of Overland Park, Kansas; son Derrick Roberson and his wife MaryKris of Manhattan, Kansas; daughter DeAnn Silvia and her husband Patrick of O’Fallon, Illinois; son David Roberson and his wife Heather of Glenwood, Iowa; grandchildren Ellen DeBord and her husband Blair of Columbia, Missouri and their children, Evie and Ruthie; Keagan Hogan and her husband Xavier of Merriam, Kansas and their children Creed, Charlotte, and Aubree; Anne Sexton and her husband Curry of Manhattan, Kansas and their children Ellie and Theodore; Zachary Silvia of O’Fallon, Illinois; Sarah Santarelli and her husband Caleb of St. Louis, Missouri and their daughter Brynn; Daegan Kingery of Geneva, Switzerland; Grant Roberson and Leah Roberson, both of Glenwood Iowa. Delmar is also remembered by his sisters-in-law Rita Roberson and Linda Roberson, and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Loren Louis Roberson and Ethel “Mae” Roberson, brothers Beryl Roberson and Arlen Roberson, and sister Donna Mae Buckley.
A Celebration of Delmar’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20th, at the Westview Community Church, 615 Gillispie Drive, Manhattan, KS, with Pastor Brian Smith officiating.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 19th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to either Westview Community Church or Gideons International. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.