Thomas Leigh Roberts

Tom was born September 9, 1944, in Peoria, Illinois to Milton and Doris Roberts. He attended Spalding Institute thru high school. Tom participated all 4 years in football, basketball, track and field and baseball.  His nickname was “Butch” or “Beef”. Tom graduated in 1962.

 After graduation Tom had an appointment at West Point Military Academy but did not pass the physical due to his blindness in one eye that he was born with. 

 Tom attended the University of Iowa. He was active in ROTC.  Prior to graduation, Tom was drafted into the United States Army during the Viet Nam War. 

Tom enjoyed the Army life; he worked his way through officers training and became a Captain.  Tom’s Army specialty, was logistics which would help him later in life.

 Tom’s tour of duty took him to Viet Nam, Japan, Philippines, Australia, and Germany.  He really liked Germany.

 Tom came back to the United States and finished his BA degree at the University of Iowa. While at Iowa, walked on to the football team and played center on the practice squad.

 Tom really loved the U of I and Iowa City.  He said many hours were spent with friends at the local watering hole, Airliner.

 After college, Tom began his career with Ruan Transportation in Des Moines, Iowa. Tom was Ruan Employee of the Year in 1980.  He became a fanatic of Iowa sports, traveling back to Iowa City for most every contest of football and wrestling.

 Tom moved to Mesa, AZ with Ruan Transportation as a regional manager in 1987 and settled into a country club lifestyle living on a beautiful course in Mesa.

 His parents lived in Sun City, AZ which was about an hour drive one-way, which Tom did almost each weekend so he could visit and help them.

 Tom retired and moved to Sun City, AZ and befriended Dana Walker.  He and Dana worked several hobby jobs while in retirement.  His last job was working with Camelback Ranch which houses the LA Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.  He did security for several years and even worked Security at the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl.

 Tom played golf 3-4 days per week.  Golf was his passion.  He played with a two day a week group called the “Renegades”, plus another day or two with men’s leagues.  Tom and Dana won many golf tournaments playing in partner style formats.  Tom went on an annual Vegas golf trip with “boys”. Tom has played golf at renown courses in almost every state in the USA and several courses in Scotland including “The Old Course”.

 Tom was a regular at Nancy and Dana Walker’s dinner table.  Many great times with German wine and super conversations.

 Tom met “Elvis”, Dana’s Miniature Pinscher canine.  It was friendship at first sight.  They had a 15-year friendship that was truly amazing.

 Tom was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020, he was treated and whipped the cancer with radiation therapy. 

 Tom was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in January 2023 and was given 6 months to live. MD, Anderson Center helped Tom fight the cancer and he beat that prognosis. 

 Tom approved a burial service at the National Military Cemetery, in Phoenix, AZ.  His Military Honors Service and flag presentation is on April 16, 2024, at 10:30am.