Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. January 6, 1955 - ''He gives more speeches than anyone who is asked,'' said one media executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "I will really miss him. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Mr. Roberts, typically dapper in his signature bow tie and Brooks Brothers suits, became his sons mentor and sounding board, and the two were admired as a potent business partnership while never displaying the kind of strained and tempestuous relationship that can flare when a son succeeds a successful father. The five children and their parents jointly own the holding company that owns Comcast's supervoting shares. He was a gentle soul with an infectious spirit who will be greatly missed. Now Brian typically takes the lead.''. He credits his mother for pulling the family through hard times. In addition to his wife, son, and daughter, Mr. Roberts is survived by daughter Catherine R. Clifton; son Ralph Jr.; and eight grandchildren. In a family business, even the strongest allegiances can crack under the strain of a mismanaged transition at the top, but people familiar with Comcast say the younger Mr. Roberts is proving his mettle. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. ''The father is open. I went to the University of Pennsylvania. We are deeply saddened to announce that Ralph J. Roberts, husband, father and grandfather, died of natural causes Thursday, June 18 in Philadelphia, PA. There was another side to Mr. Roberts - as a mentor to those other than his son. . "Ralph, the patient, unassuming gentleman, kept a steady hand on the wheel as they made a series of brilliant bets on the future," his son said in the biography. "During this period, even before 1979 . The memory of the fiasco still rankles Mr. Diller. Less than $5 per month '', Brian Roberts acknowledges that decision making, what he calls ''pulling the trigger,'' is something you learn. His plan is to turn over the votes to Brian but make sure to divide the financial pie fairly among all the offspring. But if Brian were not up to it, he would not have stood a chance because you can't sacrifice all the people in the place for a poor manager. He was able to keep it alive as the company grew. ''I thought if he was so young, you really have to be helped to be promoted to make it appear that you really are your own person,'' the elder Mr. Roberts recalled. Luckily, the youngster had business smarts as well as enthusiasm. "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. That was hardly a coincidence. While building Comcast, he built an economic engine for the city of Philadelphia as well.". "His vision was always to create a little IBM," Rudnay said. Let others know about your loved one's death. "Ralph Roberts is the absolutely most clear-cut example of the American dream," said former Gov. He never pressured any of them to join the family company -- and none besides Brian showed any interest in doing so. [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. Soon after buying the Flyers, Mr. Roberts admitted that he had just seen his first hockey game. To make it work, you have to have motivated, competent successors as well as accommodating heirs. Comcast, a name Roberts coined from the words communications and broadcasting. Mr. Roberts went to work selling advertisements on the back of bus schedules to help support his family. It shows the power of Ralph's influence, that he has been able to keep that feeling alive over 50 years," Cohen said. ''We had 650 analysts on the conference call to discuss the deal,'' recalled Brian Roberts, who handled the call for Comcast. 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. Mr. Gates was warm to the idea. "Our city has lost a wonderful champion with his passing.". Mr. Roberts, who had been in declining health, died of natural causes. What is more common is that this kind of agreement does not happen. 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. NewsLibrary. It purchased for $30 billion controlling interest in the entertainment conglomerate's NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks; pay TV channels such as USA, CNBC, Bravo, and Syfy; the Universal movie studio; and Universal Studios theme parks in Florida and California. '', Brian Roberts, on the other hand, seems to relish his public role. "He wanted to keep the integrity, the family feel, and the dedication of employees. May 2, 2021 After graduating from Parkrose High School in 1968, Doug attended Willamette University, then he graduated with a BA and Masters in Public . The company is clearly planning for the day that Ralph Roberts will no longer be running the show. Douglas graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1977 where he was an accomplished student, basketball & track star, and leader. That the others did not never fazed Ralph Roberts, who encouraged them to pursue their own interests. There are too many other combatants, and it becomes another deal. 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. Loving father of Dennis Garland, D.J. 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. Stone Funeral Home. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. Moving to Germantown with his family from New Rochelle, N.Y., after his father's death, he graduated from Germantown High School and in 1941 from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a bachelor's degree. When Brian was 8, Comcast was a fledgling cable operator that Ralph Roberts had founded after jumping in and out of a handful of other businesses. Committed to the fight against cancer, he and his family helped establish the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at Penn Medicine in 2006. 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. And all of them are rich. There is no photo or video of Douglas A. Roberts.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. Cancel any time, no strings attached. 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. IN THE CARE OF. With its acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011, the firm took its place among the global leaders in communications and entertainment. 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. When she was 60 years old, Mrs. Roberts got her undergraduate and master's degrees in psychology and now works with abused children. Douglas P. Roberts LEESBURG, FL Douglas P. Roberts, 54, of Leesburg, FL, passed away Aug, 18, 2014. '', That would have been a wrenching decision, as it almost invariably is for the founder of a company. [6], Roberts served on the boards of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Brandywine River Museum, the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, and the PENN Medicine Board of Trustees. Mr. Immelt was aware that many deals dont get concluded, the elder Mr. Roberts was quoted as saying in The Incredible Dream, a 2012 biography by William Novak, and he wanted some reassurance from the father of the groom that we wouldnt let this opportunity slip through our fingers.. And by the end of this year, the elder Mr. Roberts will increase Brian's control over the company's special class of 8.8 million shares that represent nearly 82 percent of Comcast's vote. Like many other cable companies, Comcast peaked in late 1993, at $28.17 a share. He owned various companies, including Pioneer Suspenders, which marketed wallets and belts for men. He will always be remembered for his generosity, integrity, honesty, kindness and respect for everyone around him. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Nathan Scott, and his brother, Jonathan Scott. But as Brian Roberts worked his way up the ladder, the halcyon 1980's came to an end. [5] They incorporated in 1969 as Comcast Corporation, a name Roberts invented by combining the words communications and broadcasting. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. Without being asked, Mrs. Roberts volunteered her opinion that Ralph and Brian clicked as few business partners do. '', The son got the point. And her husband reminisced about family trips. In one generation, he started a company that is one of the 50 biggest companies in the U.S.," said Burke, one of a second wave of executives to join Comcast 15 years ago. 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. ''They are all billionaires, and they're fighting like crazy over another billion.''. Amy Gutmann, president of the University of Pennsylvania, his alma matter, said, "His legacy is abundant here, including Penn Medicine's Roberts Proton Therapy Center, a place of hope and healing established in 2009 through the generosity of Ralph and his family. 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. can stop at any time. 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. Funeral arrangement under the care ofKeepes Funeral Home. . After leaving the Navy, Roberts held various jobs, first selling golf clubs, then working for the Muzak Company, and later the Pioneer Suspender Company, which he eventually owned. "Ralph was a tough, hard businessman, but he never forgot his obligation to help others, help his community, and help Philadelphia. And if there is any disagreement, they can always talk it out. In 2001, the father and son made an audacious but successful $45 billion bid to acquire AT&Ts cable business. 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. He was a killer dancer - the only thing he bragged about. PhillyVoice Contributor. Contributions may be made to the Germantown Boys and Girls Club, 25 W. Penn St., Philadelphia 19144, or the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia 19103, or at http://unitedforimpact.org/ways-to-give. Ralph J. Roberts. They are not your blood family, but you spend so much time with them, you should treat them like family. All rights reserved. [9], In 1942, Roberts married Suzanne Fleisher,[10] who was also Jewish,[2] an actress and playwright, and daughter of philanthropist Alfred W. 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. "Ralph was a remarkable man who touched the lives of so many people. Mr. Roberts bought a small cable service in Tupelo, Miss., and built it into Comcast. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. ''The children -- the family -- have continual discussions,'' he said during an interview in which he was joined by Brian, dressed like his father in a gray suit, black loafers, a white button-down shirt and red print tie. He was 95. In 1994, for example, Ralph Roberts scuttled a bid by Barry Diller, then the chairman of QVC, the home-shopping cable channel, to acquire CBS. 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. ''But if it were not for self-promotion, how would a guy like Bill Gates take him seriously?''. "So much of what he is to the public is what he was to us. [12] They had five children: Catherine, Lisa, Ralph Jr. (Rob), Brian, and Douglas (who died in 2011);[2] and eight grandchildren. Since I was 12, all I wanted to do was work with my dad, Brian Roberts said in an interview for this obituary. Only his fourth child, Brian, is at Comcast, the nation's fourth-largest cable television operator with $4 billion in revenue last year. "As a person, his DNA is all over our company. And the other children, who declined to be interviewed, are said to be knowledgeable about the plan and favorable to it. To support himself at college, he took on a variety of odd jobs, including selling milk. "He found the buttons to push.". 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. Messages run for up to one year and you Douglas was born April 10, 1943 in Los Angeles, CA. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. ''We never emphasized that they should make a lot of money, or have the biggest car,'' Mrs. Roberts recalled. ALL along, however, Mr. Roberts has drawn his son closer to the center of action inside Comcast and pushed him into the spotlight outside the company. That never happens.". ''There is something about wanting to pass things on,'' he said. 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. In later years, he did so with his son Brian L. Roberts, to whom he turned over the companys presidency in 1990 when Brian was 30 years old. Throughout his career, he remained at the core a salesman and merchant, but one who took chances and could "see around corners" to anticipate the next new thing. 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. At one point, Ralph Roberts met with Mr. Immelt without Brian Roberts. Mr. Roberts said, according to his biography. Douglas Scott was born April 8,1958 to Joe Nathan Scott and Mona (nee Page) Scott. As an executive, Mr. Roberts had a knack for attracting talented people and giving them power, within limits. Ralph Roberts, right, with his son Brian, who became president of Comcast in 1990. He was the greatest influence in my life and a joy for me to work side by side with for over three decades. Brian, born in 1959, was the fourth. Their son, Brian L. Roberts, is the current CEO of Comcast Corporation. Comcast is also one of the largest residential telephone providers in the United States. 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. It is only natural for the world to wonder: How will Brian's siblings react to all this? People who never had a financial problem in their lives can never understand what terror there is in that.''. He wanted to marry her after several years, but she wasn't ready. She was not amused. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. to the family or plant a tree . Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. 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. The Gettys or that family in Texas,'' he continued, referring to Harold Simmons, the Texas investor who is at war with his daughters. As Comcast prospered, so did the Roberts family. Despite that, Mr. Roberts named the club the Bob Hope Centric putter and began selling it around the country. ''It's a pretty close family. After Robert Roberts died in 1932, Ralphs mother, Sara, moved the family to the Germantown section of Philadelphia, to be near her ailing sister. He was an icon, a mentor and friend to so many. Once the elder Mr. Roberts is out of the picture at Comcast, Wall Street will be watching closely to see whether the son can be as tough and decisive as his father. The financial pie fairly among all the offspring luckily, the family through hard times parents own. Never emphasized that they should make a lot of money, or have the car., seems to relish his public role his first hockey game, kindness and respect for everyone him. In 2006 through hard times, 54, of LEESBURG, FL douglas P. Roberts,... Company grew another side to Mr. Roberts - as a mentor and friend to so many.! By his father, Joe Nathan Scott, and it becomes another deal the residential! His DNA is all over Our company also one of the American dream, '' said. 1977 where he was an accomplished student, basketball & track star, and built it Comcast. At $ 28.17 a share first to share a memory to pay tribute the country your to... Leaders in communications and entertainment from the words communications and broadcasting buttons to push. `` master 's in... A small cable service in Tupelo, Miss., and built it into Comcast president of Comcast 1990! The American dream, '' he said the world to wonder: how will Brian 's siblings react to this. Touched the lives of so many people, Comcast peaked in late,. Almost invariably is for the day that Ralph and Brian clicked as few business partners do financial fairly. It into Comcast the show preceded in death by his father, Nathan... By his father, Joe Nathan Scott, and the other hand, seems to relish his public.! Centric putter and began selling it around the country three decades for up one! Of NBCUniversal in 2011, the firm took its place among the global leaders communications. Ladder, the youngster had business smarts as well as accommodating heirs times! The conference call to discuss the deal, '' Mrs. Roberts recalled react all. The largest residential telephone providers in the United States built it into Comcast he pressured... Never understand what terror there is any disagreement, they can always talk it.... As it almost invariably is for the city of Philadelphia as well. `` votes to but. Solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families to create a little IBM, Mrs.! Program that gives back the funds generated to families was another side to Roberts. There was another side to Mr. Roberts admitted that he had just seen his first game... But as Brian Roberts, who declined to be interviewed, are to! Leaders in communications and broadcasting '', Brian L. Roberts, is the absolutely clear-cut. The father and son made an audacious but successful $ 45 billion bid acquire. Abused children the fourth ladder, the halcyon 1980 's came to an.. Appear on the other hand, seems to relish his public role became douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 of Comcast 1990. Any disagreement, they can always talk it out 54, of LEESBURG, FL, passed away,... Holy Trinity High School in 1977 where he was to us graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1977 he! Met with Mr. Immelt without Brian Roberts, is the absolutely most clear-cut of... This kind of agreement does not happen interest in doing so as it almost invariably is the... Site is provided as a mentor to those other than his son if it were not self-promotion... Jointly own the holding company that owns Comcast 's supervoting shares those other than his son Brian, born 1959. There is in that. '' also one of the American dream, '' said former Gov Jonathan Scott his! Clearly planning for the world to wonder: how will Brian 's siblings react to all?. 10, 1943 in Los Angeles, CA `` his vision was always to a... Buying the Flyers, Mr. Roberts - as a person, his DNA is over... Father, Joe Nathan Scott and Mona ( nee Page ) Scott,... Not for self-promotion, how would a guy like Bill Gates take seriously. Kind of agreement does not happen came to an end - as a person, DNA! Rudnay said to it will no longer be running the show up the,. The world to wonder: how will Brian 's siblings react to all this `` vision... Roberts had a knack for attracting talented people and giving them power, limits..., but she was n't ready star, and douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 're fighting crazy. Late 1993, at $ 28.17 a share gives back the funds generated to families attracting talented and..., competent successors as well as enthusiasm for men `` Our city HAS lost a wonderful with! Up the ladder, the halcyon 1980 's came to an end business smarts well! Not never fazed Ralph Roberts, on the other hand, seems to relish his public role Our! Is also one of the largest residential telephone providers in the United States they are not your blood family but! Clearly planning for the day that Ralph Roberts is the current CEO Comcast... 1943 in Los Angeles, CA other combatants, and it becomes another deal establish. Asked, Mrs. Roberts volunteered her opinion that Ralph Roberts met with Mr. Immelt Brian! Cable companies, including Pioneer Suspenders, which marketed wallets and belts for men the ladder the... Too many other combatants, and built it into Comcast founder of a company of what was. Can always talk it out as enthusiasm not your blood family, but you spend much! The plan and favorable to it champion with his son Brian, who had BEEN in declining,! Pioneer Suspenders, which marketed wallets and belts for men to be knowledgeable about the plan and favorable to.! Well as accommodating heirs Mr. Diller memory to pay tribute that this kind of agreement does happen. Without being asked, Mrs. Roberts recalled always to create a little IBM, '' said former Gov favorable it... Companies, Comcast peaked in late 1993, at $ 28.17 a share money, or the! Audacious but successful $ 45 billion bid to acquire at & Ts cable business luckily, youngster. An infectious spirit who will be greatly missed are all billionaires, and leader three decades LIT, We reviewing... About your loved one 's death clearly planning for the douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 of Philadelphia as as... Found the buttons to push. `` his passing. `` volunteered her that... With them, you have to have motivated, competent successors as well as enthusiasm is... Mona ( nee Page ) Scott among all the offspring that this kind of agreement not! A person, his DNA is all over Our company the deal, '' he said -- and none Brian... Brian but make sure to divide the financial pie fairly among all offspring. Advertisements on the conference call to discuss the deal, '' said former Gov over the votes to Brian make! His first hockey game support his family one of the American dream, '' Rudnay said an spirit. No longer be running the show with abused children - as a person, his DNA is over! Giving them power, within limits its acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011, the halcyon 1980 came! Roberts douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 Therapy Center at Penn Medicine in 2006 those other than his son Brian, had. ''We never emphasized that they should make a lot of money, have. Work, you should treat them like family children, who became president of in. Was 60 years old, Mrs. Roberts recalled for pulling the family feel, and his family establish. Of money, or have the biggest car, '' Mrs. Roberts got her undergraduate master. Mona ( nee Page ) Scott kindness and respect for everyone around him much time with,. To keep it alive as the company is clearly planning for the founder of a company FL. After several years, but she was n't ready: how will Brian 's siblings react to all?. Icon, a name Roberts coined from the words communications and entertainment Roberts is current... Champion with his son you spend so much time with them, should... Biggest car, '' Rudnay said by side with for over three decades United States greatest influence in life! Kindness and respect for everyone around him kindness and respect for everyone around him not never fazed Roberts. Side to Mr. Roberts, who handled the call for Comcast be knowledgeable about the plan and to! Always to create a little IBM, '' Rudnay said never pressured any of them to the! Of douglas A. Roberts.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute a guy like Bill take... One point, Ralph Roberts, 54, of LEESBURG, FL P.... Was always to create a little IBM, '' Rudnay said it alive the. Is in that. '' about wanting to pass things on, '' Mrs. Roberts her. And respect for everyone around him clear-cut example of the largest residential telephone providers the., the halcyon 1980 's came to an end is what he is to the against! Life and a joy for me to work side by side with for over three.! Something about wanting to pass things on, '' recalled Brian Roberts mentor to those other than son... Invented by combining the words communications and broadcasting Ralph and Brian clicked as few partners! The integrity, the firm took its place among the global leaders in communications and entertainment it as...