Rick A Roberts, 78, of Elkhart, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at home with his family. Rick was born in Hollywood, CA, on August 15, 1947. His parents are the late Frederick and Collene (Woodward) Roberts. On April 16, 1994, he married the former Brenda Kay Nellist, she survives him.

Rick graduated from Kokomo High School and later earned his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in education from IUSB. Rick began his career in education teaching Physics at Clay High School. Rick was a Student Council advisor for many years, a building representative for the teachers' union, and a member of the bargaining committee. Some of his best memories involve Mid-Winter Dances, Canned Food Drives, and trips to Great America with his physics students. Rick loved teaching his students about science and the Windchime lab was always a great time of year for him. Rick was very close to his colleagues at Clay and consider them family. Rick was also the secular teacher of physics, chemistry, biology, and health at The Yeshiva of South Bend, teaching there for 20 years. Rick spent his summers as part of the Teachers as Scholars program and the Research Experience of Teachers (RET), a National Science Foundation Program through the University of Notre Dame. For one of his RET projects, he engineered and fabricated a movable support stand for the 1000 lb accelerator shell. He spent several summers at the Notre Dame Nuclear Structure Laboratory as a visiting scholar, funded by the National Science Foundation. Rick learned to operate the nuclear accelerators and participated in basic experiments. He was instrumental in creating a partnership between Notre Dame and Clay High School for Independent Study students who later participated and placed in the National Science Fair in Texas. Prior to becoming a teacher, Rick worked as a Millwright for International Harvester in Melrose Park, IL; as Plant Manager of Shower-Rite Corporation; as the design and production engineer for Tern Industries; and as Master Mechanic for Carpenter Company.

Rick was an avid Notre Dame fan and enjoyed taking his grandsons to the Notre Dame football and basketball games every year, as well as the Christmas-time Glee Club concerts.

He enjoyed all things scientific, loved reading history, and took many trips with his wife and family to museums of all kinds, to Civil War-era historic sites, and historic presidential homes. Some of his most memorable vacations were taking his family to Disney and introducing his wife to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which houses the world's largest collection of Tiffany glass. Rick enjoyed building things and was happiest when he was working on a project or two. He loved family dinners and believed it was important to make as many good memories as possible, share good times with those he loved, and take lots of pictures. He was a wonderful role model for his grandsons, instilling a fine work ethic and teaching them that they can do anything they set their mind to.

Rick is survived by Brenda, his wife of 32 years; step-son, John David Nellist; grandsons Quentin Nellist and Ian-David Nellist; daughter Ricqué Roberts (Kevin) Adkinson, Sharpsville; grandsons Dylan Davis, Sharpsville and Dalton (Justina) Davis, Terre Haute, and great-granddaughter, Berkeley Anne Boruff. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Jonathan Roberts; and his granddaughter, Darian Davis. Rick is also survived by brothers-in-law Howard (Cathern) Nellist, Goshen; William (Catherine) Nellist, Rockville, MD; Lawrence (Lori) Nellist, Dowelltown, TN.; a niece, Fiona Nellist, Chicago; and two nephews, Bradley (Katie) Nellist,Greenwood; Michael (Ashley) Nellist, Pioneer, OH; and their children Anthony, Charlotte, and Tristan, as well as a step-father-in law, Gerry Hampel, Goshen.

Rick was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. He was an Usher and a 3rd degree Knight belonging to St. Jude Council 1043.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 1, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1331 N. Main Street, Elkhart, with visitation beginning at 10 AM. 

A luncheon will follow the mass. Graveside services and burial in Adamsville Cemetery, Adamsville, MI., will follow. Friends may visit with the family from 4 - 7 pm Tuesday, June 30, 2026, with a Rosary at 6:30, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Elara Caring Hospice for their presence, compassion, and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Frontiers in Dowelltown, TN or a charity of the donor’s choice.