Cleo Roberts, philanthropist, dies

Philanthropist Cleo Faith Roberts of Sun City died July 4.

A memorial service is planned at 1 p.m. Friday in Faith Presbyterian Church, 16000 N. Del Webb Blvd., in Sun City, followed by a reception.

Mrs. Roberts and her late husband, L.J. "Bob" Roberts, were major individual donors to Sun Health Foundation, particularly in support of the Sun Health Research Institute. The institute's L.J. Roberts Center for Alzheimer's Research is named in their honor.

Before they moved from California to their Sun City home in 1969, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts watched many family members and friends fall victim to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other age-related disorders. When news was announced in 1987 that a research institute was planned in Sun City, they realized the need to reach out and help future generations.

The couple provided a major gift to renovate a temporary building to accommodate four staff members and one volunteer. As the need to expand research became apparent, a fund-raising campaign began to fund construction of a new, larger institute.

In 2000, the Sun Health Research Institute's Center for Clinical Research was named the Cleo Roberts Center for Clinical Research to reflect Mrs. Roberts' dedication and commitment to the mission and vision of institute.

The clinic conducts research trials into possible prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and arthritis.

A tradition that she and her late husband began, and that Mrs. Roberts continued in recent years, was a generous matching gift to double the proceeds of the Sun Health Palmbrook Golf Classic, which is played each spring to benefit the institute.

Mrs. Roberts was named as the first-ever recipient of Sun Health Foundation's Inspiration Award in 2000. She also received the Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 1997.

The Roberts' name has become part of the institute's legacy of progressive research and is reflected in one of the laboratories within the institute's walls, and in the L.J. Roberts Recognition Plaza, an open-air, terraced walkway.

"Cleo was a dedicated and faithful friend of Sun Health Research Institute through the years," said Pamela K. Meyerhoffer, executive vice president/CEO of Sun Health Foundation. "She realized the legacy she and Bob had begun and how greatly it benefits people with these devastating diseases."

The Roberts supported many nonprofit organizations. Gfits provided for the communion table and an organ for Faith Presbyterian Church, an organ for Northern Arizona University Music studies, homes for low-income families through Habitat for Humanity and cancer research funding through the Amercan Cancer Society.