Donald Rongaus Roberts

Donald R. Roberts, Pittsburgh December 28, 1941 – January 7, 2026 Don was born in Rostraver, PA and lived most of his youth at the Oddfellows orphanage on Pittsburgh's North side. He joined the United States Army in 1959 and spent most of his time in Germany as a heavy equipment mechanic. He learned to play chess there and would continue to play throughout his life. He could speak fluent German his whole life. He was awarded United States Armed Forces in Europe Soldier of the Month. He always spoke about returning to Germany one day but never had the opportunity. After he was honorably discharged, he moved to McKeesport to live with his older sister Josephine and her son Coby. It was in McKeesport that he met the love of his life, Frances Perciavalle. They loved traveling to New York City and to the beaches of New Jersey. Don was the service manager at Gourley Chevrolet in Sewickley for many years, and while there, served as the President of the local Auto Service Manager's Association. He received many Outstanding Service Awards from General Motors. Don was a diehard Steelers fan; he and Frances had season tickets before Three Rivers Stadium was built in 1970, and the two of them were there when Franco made the Immaculate Reception. Don was a big fan of Terry Bradshaw long before that was acceptable. He rooted for both Pitt and Penn State football but always favored Pitt when they faced each other. Don was an avid fisherman and loved zipping around Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park on his fishing boat. He found much grace outdoors and camping and had a deep love of nature and wildlife. He was also a talented photographer and a great cook. Don was very musically inclined, a trait which he surely inherited from his mother Melzina, who was a lovely singer and guitar player. He taught himself to play the harmonica and could keep up with Charlie McCoy. He also taught himself to play piano and loved to sing with his daughter. Doo-wop and Motown were his favorites, and he wore out cassette tapes of The Big Chill and Dirty Dancing soundtracks; he enjoyed Elton John, Herb Alpert, and Van Morrison, too. He also sang with the local Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA). He watched The Sound of Music repeatedly with his daughter (he would point at the screen and explain what he had seen and learned in Austria and Germany), but he also thoroughly enjoyed Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther movies. Don was a softball coach for his daughter's team in the West View-Ross Athletic Association, and his Senior Ponytail Girls team didn't lose a game in 2 seasons once he took over as head coach. Don was a born leader who loved to impart knowledge. He is preceded in death by his mother, Melzina Boyd Roberts; his father, Ardith Dean Roberts; his brother, Engineman Chief Petty Officer Albert Dean ("Bub") Roberts, U. S. Navy; sister Josephine Roberts Beresford Kaminsky; nephew Leslie (Coby) Beresford; and his wife Frances Perciavalle Roberts. He is survived by his beloved daughter Francie; his great-nieces Leslie Beresford Radakovic (Dave) and Melanie Beresford; great-nephew Ross Beresford (April); great-great nieces Jillian Radakovic Debevec (Trevor), Alyssa Radakovic, Reese Beresford, and Rylee Beresford; and great-great-great niece Eden Debevec. Don donated his pacemaker to Pittsburgh Veterinary Cardiology to save a dog's life. Service and interment private. Professional services entrusted to Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home & Crematory Ltd; 930 Center Avenue Blawnox, PA, 15238; www.thomasmsmithfuneralhome.com.

Donald Rongaus Roberts

December 28, 1941 - January 7, 2026