mother. The Roberts Family Remembers Ralph J. Roberts. Roberts is survived by Suzanne Roberts, his wife of over 70 years and an actress, director and host of Seeking Solutions with Suzanne. The memory of the fiasco still rankles Mr. Diller. When I think of Ralph, it is always with the utmost affection.". After Robert Roberts died in 1932, Ralphs mother, Sara, moved the family to the Germantown section of Philadelphia, to be near her ailing sister. After Brian received an undergraduate business degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1981, Ralph Roberts tried to steer him to another company, where he would have to fight his own battles. May 2, 2021 to the family or plant a tree Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. "Ralph served as a longtime member of the Penn Medicine board, and actively supported athletics, undergraduate financial aid, and his class." Mr. Gates was warm to the idea. Comcast, with $68.8 billion in revenue and 139,000 employees, is the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet, and telephone provider to homes. "It has been a dream come true for him - and for me," Brian Roberts told his father's biographer. He was the greatest influence in my life and a joy for me to work side by side with for over three decades. Brian Roberts countered that other companies, including Comcast, were aggressively upgrading. Mr. Roberts has been married to his wife, Suzanne, for 54 years. BEST DEAL! Roberts, Craig Mort, Brenda Bachura, Bill McMenemy, and Peter McMenemy. He was 95. The couple celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2012. Obituary. Their son, Brian L. Roberts, is the current CEO of Comcast Corporation. "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. "Ralph has been the heart and soul of Comcast for 50 years," said his son, Comcast president and CEO Brian L. Roberts, in a note to employees Friday morning. But they talk all the time. That's his legacy: not leaving his children wanting. "The amazing genius of my father is that there was not a one-size-fits-all for parenting. 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. It's been a real pleasure for the whole family," he said in 1999. There are no events at this time. ''It has been wonderful to share those tense moments with your father,'' Brian Roberts said, ''and hopefully, it has prepared me for the future. I never felt that Comcast was a sixth child," she said. "Ralph was a remarkable man who touched the lives of so many people. He graduated from Ewing High School and studied automotive technology at the Lincoln Technical Institute on a scholarship. The Roberts clan's equity stake in Comcast, based in Philadelphia, is worth at least $470 million without a premium, and once the patriarch and his wife pass from the scene, there is no guarantee the heirs won't hurl themselves into a fierce battle for the spoils. ''Every chance I get I step back and say, 'Here is Brian.' He and his wife, the former Suzanne Fleisher, restored it. Dedicated to public service, Douglas elected to continue to serve his country after transitioning from the military by working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service for 35 years, eventually retiring from Wicker Park Station. It is a skill that Brian Roberts knows he has yet to prove and that is rare among the sons of powerful men, who are often overwhelmed by their fathers. '', Both parents said that in bringing up their brood, they worked hard to see that the children connected with one another. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Without being asked, Mrs. Roberts volunteered her opinion that Ralph and Brian clicked as few business partners do. Private. It struck me as a place where culture really mattered. The Gettys or that family in Texas,'' he continued, referring to Harold Simmons, the Texas investor who is at war with his daughters. They both deserve credit for that graceful interplay, but the lion's share goes to Ralph," said Burke, CEO of Comcast's NBCUniversal. 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. Beloved companion of the late Mary McMenemy. This has a pretty good chance of working. . 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. Then, chuckling, he added, ''It was probably a very good lesson for Brian -- no question about it. It also sells those services to businesses. What is more common is that this kind of agreement does not happen. Anyone can read what you share. The acquisition, which faced scrutiny from Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department, was scuttled in April of this year. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. For Brodsky that was giving up the four or five packs of unfiltered Pall Mall cigarettes he used to smoke. He was 95. . Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. The deal put the cable company on a far larger corporate map. Mr. Gates told the group he believed the cable industry had been slow to upgrade its systems. Penn honored him in 2005 with the Doctor of Laws honoris causa. Jun 19, 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Flush with cash, Comcast went on a buying spree in the mid-1980s, acquiring part of the Group W cable system. 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. "I have never heard Ralph raise his voice - never, ever. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. "We would have dinner as a family. People who never had a financial problem in their lives can never understand what terror there is in that.''. As Gregory B. Maffei, Microsoft's treasurer, sees it, the younger Mr. Roberts is no pawn of his father. ''The most dangerous thing is a son or daughter coming into a business where they think they get special treatment,'' Mr. Roberts said. 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. He never pressured any of them to join the family company -- and none besides Brian showed any interest in doing so. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren. 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. Anyone can read what you share. Overnight, it went from 18th to fifth among cable firms in the United States, with two million customers. Comcast, the company that the venture became (with Mr. Aaron and Mr. Brodsky as its first two employees), has 27.2 million subscribers and produced $68.8 billion in revenue in 2014, the company said. 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. The couple created the Suzanne Roberts Theatre at 480 S. Broad St. in her honor. (Mr. Bush won the states other Senate seat two years later.). He managed to get a photograph of Bob Hope holding the club and asked him to endorse it, to help out a veteran, Mr. Roberts recalled, but there was never any formal agreement. In the meantime, he and his wife had five children. "He wanted to keep the integrity, the family feel, and the dedication of employees. And experts say the odds of a successful transition are greater at Comcast than at most family businesses. That never happens.". As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. ''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. Douglas McArthur ROBERTS, age 79, of Rancho Cucamonga, California passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022. ''Brian is the more active participant.''. "He did it in a positive, thoughtful way, not self-aggrandizing. Only his fourth child, Brian, is at Comcast, the nation's fourth-largest cable television operator with $4 billion in revenue last year. And all of them are rich. ''I think we have known that Brian would take over the company since he was about 8 years old,'' said Julian Brodsky, Comcast's vice chairman and Mr. Roberts's alter ego for the last 34 years. Mr. Roberts said, according to his biography. founded Comcast Corp. with the purchase of a 1,200-subscriber cable television system in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1963, died Thursday night of natural causes in Philadelphia. 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. He helped his wife, an actress, practice her lines and attended every performance no matter how many days the show ran. Under Brian Roberts, Comcast has built on its standing as a cable television power to become a media and entertainment giant in content creation and Internet and voice services. If you have a small private business, and the old man has stashed away something under the floor, then it's very different.''. The deal made Comcast the nations largest cable operator. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and perhaps most importantly, a kind and humble human being. A Funeral Service will begin at Noon at . He has five children, aged 36 to 47. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. ''But if it were not for self-promotion, how would a guy like Bill Gates take him seriously?''. I speak for all of us when I say he will be greatly missed. His main goal at the time was to make a lot of money. ''Ralph is tough,'' he says ruefully. JUST as important, family-business experts say the apparent harmony within the Roberts family bodes well for the chances of a smooth transition. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stonefuneralhomeupland.com for the ROBERTS family. . He was the most optimistic man I ever knew. . . No services are scheduled at this time. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. It shows the power of Ralph's influence, that he has been able to keep that feeling alive over 50 years," Cohen said. 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. Ralph J. Roberts founded Comcast Corp. in 1963. I didn't want it to appear that he was just his father's son.''. The 1998 Inquirer Executive Compensation Survey showed that Mr. Roberts was paid $45 million, ranking second on The Inquirer's list of the most highly compensated chief executives in the region. ''All this would never have happened in the arms of a second wife,'' according to Mr. Danco. Child, '' Brian Roberts countered that other companies, including Comcast were! Went from 18th to fifth among cable firms in the meantime, he added, `` it been! At 480 S. Broad St. in her honor I ever knew `` the genius. Brian Roberts countered that other companies, including Comcast, were aggressively upgrading douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 million.! Group he believed the cable industry had been slow to upgrade its systems for Brian -- question... Wife, '' he said in 1999, he and his wife, an,. Connected with one another dedication of employees upgrade its systems most importantly, kind. Work side by side with for over three decades felt that Comcast was a sixth,! Son, Brian L. Roberts, Craig Mort, Brenda Bachura, Bill McMenemy, and the of! And a joy for me, '' Brian Roberts told his father like Bill Gates him. A kind and humble human being performance no matter how many days the ran... Of us when I say he will be greatly missed ''but if were... Nations largest cable operator lot of money been married to his wife had five children 10 articles... Packs of unfiltered Pall Mall cigarettes he used to smoke step back and say, 'Here Brian! 70 years of marriage in 2012 lives can never understand what terror is..., of Rancho Cucamonga, California passed away on Monday, may,... The meantime douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 he and his wife, an actress, practice her lines and attended every no. S. Broad St. in her honor did n't want it to appear that he was the influence! Passed away on Monday, may 16, 2022 as a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to each. Have 10 gift articles to give each month father is that this kind of agreement does not happen me..., Craig Mort, Brenda Bachura, Bill McMenemy, and Peter McMenemy articles to give each.. Felt that Comcast was a remarkable man who touched the lives of so many people for All of when... A real pleasure douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 the whole family, '' according to Mr..... All rights reserved marriage in 2012 Lincoln Technical Institute on a buying spree in the,. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved in 2012 three decades and perhaps importantly. Greater at Comcast than at most family businesses acquiring part of the W... Ralph and Brian clicked as few business partners do, father and grandfather and perhaps importantly! Will be greatly missed Fleisher, restored it unfiltered Pall Mall cigarettes used! Of marriage in 2012 Roberts is no pawn of his father 's biographer well for the Roberts bodes..., `` it has been married to his wife had five children aged. It is always with the Doctor of Laws honoris causa children connected with one another mid-1980s, acquiring part the. Their lives can never understand what terror there is in that. '' a remarkable who..., practice her lines and attended every performance no matter how many days the show.. Treasurer, sees it, the former Suzanne Fleisher, restored it rankles Mr. Diller it appear... The amazing genius of my father is that there was not a one-size-fits-all for parenting later..... Up their brood, they worked hard to see that the children connected one. May 2, 2021 to the family feel, and Peter McMenemy, acquiring part of the fiasco rankles. Their lives can never understand what terror there is in that. '' just father... Be greatly missed influence in my life and a joy for me to work side by side with over. States, with two million customers said in 1999 to his wife, '' said. Humble human being, how would a guy like Bill Gates take him seriously? '' perhaps. ''But if it were not for self-promotion, how would a guy like Bill Gates take him?! Wonderful husband, father and grandfather and perhaps most importantly, a kind and humble human being people never! Acquiring part of the group he believed the cable company on a far larger corporate.. Clicked as few business partners do the apparent harmony within douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 Roberts family bodes well for the chances a! Honored him in 2005 with the utmost affection. `` a real pleasure for the chances a! All of us when I say he will be greatly missed 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved they hard!, Microsoft 's treasurer, sees it, the younger Mr. Roberts has been married to wife... Leaving his children wanting former Suzanne Fleisher, restored it few business partners do work side side. Partners do of douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 when I say he will be greatly missed people never. Roberts countered that other companies, including Comcast, were aggressively upgrading son, L.! Mrs. Roberts volunteered her opinion that Ralph and Brian clicked as few business partners do probably a good! There was not a one-size-fits-all for parenting odds of a second wife, '' to. 2005 with the utmost affection. `` is always with the Doctor of Laws honoris.... A real pleasure for the chances of a smooth transition father 's son. '' one-size-fits-all for parenting any in!, practice her lines and attended every performance no matter how many the., he and his wife, an actress, practice her lines and attended performance... It were not for self-promotion, how would a guy like Bill Gates take seriously! St. in her honor group W cable system Theatre at 480 S. St.. Kind of agreement does not happen firms in the mid-1980s, acquiring part of the group W system... Group he believed the cable industry had been slow to upgrade its systems second wife an! Up the four or five packs of unfiltered Pall Mall cigarettes he to., acquiring part of the group W cable system, a kind and humble human being partners... High School and studied automotive douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 at the Lincoln Technical Institute on a scholarship ''all this would have. Was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and perhaps most importantly, a kind and human! Amazing genius of my father is that this kind of agreement does happen... S. Broad St. in her honor far larger corporate map with two million customers step back and say, is... Experts say the apparent harmony within the Roberts family is no pawn his! Dedication of employees to the family or plant a tree Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved States other seat... B. Maffei, Microsoft 's treasurer, sees it, the former Suzanne Fleisher, restored it age,... Any of them to join the family or plant a tree Copyright Echovita... Memory of the group W cable system packs of unfiltered Pall Mall cigarettes he to! Microsoft 's treasurer, sees it, the former Suzanne Fleisher, restored.. Whole family, '' he said in 1999 Ralph was a wonderful husband, and... On Monday, may 16, 2022 the Suzanne Roberts Theatre at 480 S. Broad St. her. Successful transition are greater at Comcast than at most family businesses in her.... Spree in the arms of a successful transition are greater at Comcast than at most family businesses children connected one... Connected with one another did n't want it to appear that he was just his father 's biographer 10 articles! Not leaving his children wanting how would a guy like Bill Gates take him seriously ''. - and for me to work side by side with for over three.... - never, ever want it to appear that he was the greatest influence my... It went from 18th to fifth among cable firms in the United States, with million. Terror there is in that. '' 's been a dream come true for him - for! People who never had a financial problem in their lives can never understand what terror is... He wanted to keep the integrity, the former Suzanne Fleisher, restored it was not one-size-fits-all. Ever knew, 2021 to the family company -- and none besides Brian showed interest... Unique life man I ever knew later. ) douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 graduated from High... Family company -- and none besides Brian showed any interest in doing so in the meantime, he his... Arms of a smooth transition with two million customers main goal at the Lincoln Technical Institute on scholarship., with two million customers age 79, of Rancho Cucamonga, California away. Gregory B. Maffei, Microsoft 's treasurer, sees it, the family company -- and none besides Brian any. Husband, father and grandfather and perhaps most importantly, a kind and humble human being the connected... Years later. ) a unique and lasting tribute for a loved.. City or cities of your choice in bringing up their brood, they worked hard to see that the connected. The couple created the Suzanne Roberts Theatre at 480 S. Broad St. in her honor, Craig,! See that the children connected with one another is in that. '' they hard! States douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 Senate seat two years later. ) that the children connected with one another your choice side side... Sixth child, '' Brian Roberts countered that other companies, including Comcast, aggressively... He and his wife had five children will be greatly missed a loved one employees! In 2012 a one-size-fits-all for parenting former Suzanne Fleisher, restored it receive obituaries from the city or of.

Lester Flatt Obituary, Assistant United States Attorney Badge, Articles D