Edwin "Ed" Roberts

Edwin “Ed” Stuart Roberts, III, age 87, of Lake Placid, FL, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Born in Detroit, MI, he was the son of E. Stuart Roberts and Marjorie (Wardle) Roberts and the older brother of William “Bill” B. Roberts (deceased).

He moved to Bellevue, Ohio, when he was 13 years old. He loved sports and was very athletic during his high school years, playing football and basketball and running track for Bellevue High School, earning a combined 8 letters in all three sports. In 2011, Ed was inducted into Bellevue H.S.’s Athletic Hall of Fame, an accolade that meant so much to him.  After graduation, Ed attended Michigan State University, where he played football, was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.  Notably, he was a member of MSU’s winning 1955 Rose Bowl National Championship football team.  Ed proudly served our country both in the United States Marine Corps and then as a pilot in the United States Navy, receiving two Honorable Discharges.

Ed started in the automobile industry in 1961 as a business management representative for the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors in Detroit, MI. After being promoted to the Cincinnati (OH) zone office, Ed went into the retail side of the industry in 1968, in Dayton, OH, having held all management positions in a retail dealership. In 1974, Ed became the owner-operator of his own dealership, Ed Roberts Cadillac-Mazda-AMC/Jeep in Mansfield, OH. In 1977, he achieved Master Dealer Recognition from Cadillac, and in 1980, he was honored by election as a member of the Cadillac National Dealer Council.

Ed’s career in the automobile industry continued beyond Ohio. He was well-sought-after as a general manager with a proven track record of improving sales and service at dealerships in Atlanta (GA), Mobile (AL), Knoxville (TN), Bradenton (FL) and Sebring (FL). In 1997, after retiring from the car business, he launched his next “life chapter” with LegalShield, achieving the level of Director and excelling in group sales.

Ed and his wife Janet (Koechley) enjoyed 63 years of marriage with a loving family.  He enjoyed cooking, gardening, golfing, tennis, watching football (especially his MSU Spartans and Detroit Lions), and many dear friends. He always loved spending time with his 3 children, Kyle Ann Roberts of Lake Placid, FL, Edward Scott Roberts of Tampa, FL, and John Stuart Roberts (Michelle) of Honeoye Falls, NY, and his 3 grandchildren, Max Roberts (Kyle), Emma Rizzella-Roberts, and Michael Rizzella-Roberts (John). They will miss Grandpa’s stories and barbecued chicken.

Ed will be remembered for his outgoing spirit, energy, and drive for excellence, his quick wit and enthusiasm, and his caring and generosity. He will be missed by many.

May Ed rest in peace.  

A funeral Mass will be held at a later date. 

Foos and Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Pl., Bellevue, OH  44811 is in care of arrangements