Charles David Roberson, 88, of Pittsfield, died Friday, April 11, 2025, at Craneville Place in Dalton. “David” was born on January 4, 1937 in Iowa City, Iowa, to the late AJ and Mildred Roberson. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, and obtained his bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Kansas, Lawrence.
Following graduation, David became an officer in the United States Air Force and married his college sweetheart, Lynne, on July 10, 1960, in Lyons, Kan.—they first met on a blind date. He was stationed in Minot, N.D., serving as a B-52 navigator during the Cold War and retired with the rank of Captain.
A certified public accountant, he got his start at Arthur Young and Company in Kansas City. He joined private industry and moved his young family to Lenox in 1976 and was senior vice president and chief financial officer at the former Sheaffer Eaton Textron in Pittsfield, retiring in 1989. He then co-founded Main Street Sports & Leisure in Lenox with his son George.
David enjoyed the sporting life: a longtime golf member at Cranwell cross-country skiing and “coaching” the family Josh Billings teams from 1977 to 1998. He was a 49-year member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he served on the finance committee, sang in the choir, played the bells, and taught Sunday school. He was a member of the Great Trails Council Board of Scouting America for more than 20 years and was honored with the Silver Beaver Award in 1986.
The first in his family to graduate from college, David valued education and was especially proud that all his children graduated from college. He loved art, history, and music, and traveled widely in the U.S. and around the world (favorites included Italy, the Galapagos Islands, Papua New Guinea, and the Canary Islands), and he visited his children when they were living in Denmark, Spain, and Morocco.
Besides his beloved wife Lynne of Pittsfield, David is survived by his children, David A. Roberson (Ann) of Maryland, Dr Mark J. Roberson of Pittsfield, George F. Roberson, PhD (Li) of Thailand, and Dr Jennifer A. Roberson (Sergio) of California; his grandchildren, Daniel, William, Elena, Anna, Ester, and Kalvin; and his siblings, Donald Roberson (Sue) and Carole Roberson of Arizona.
The funeral service for David Roberson will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield. David’s family will greet friends and family from 10 a.m. until the start of the service. Burial will be private at Mountain View Cemetery in Lenox. Memorial donations in David’s memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Zion Lutheran Church, or your favorite charity in care of the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240. To share memories and stories, please visit the funeral home’s website.
