Virgil D. Roberts (April 13, 1922 – April 6, 2011)[1] was an American farmer, train dispatcher, and Democratic politician from La Crosse County, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for 22 years, representing La Crosse County from 1971 to 1985, and from 1987 to 1995.

Virgil Roberts
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 5, 1987 – January 2, 1995
Preceded bySylvester G. Clements
Succeeded byMichael Huebsch
Constituency94th Assembly district
In office
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
Preceded bySheehan Donoghue
Succeeded byThomas D. Ourada
Constituency35th Assembly district
In office
January 1, 1973 – January 3, 1983
Preceded byDistrict established
Succeeded byMary Lou Munts
Constituency94th Assembly district
In office
January 4, 1971 – January 1, 1973
Preceded byNorbert Nuttelman
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
ConstituencyLa Crosse 2nd district
Personal details
Born
(1922-04-13)April 13, 1922

Mindoro, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedApril 6, 2011(2011-04-06) (aged 88)
La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeFarmington Cemetery, Mindoro, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Alice M. Evenson
(m. 1945⁠–⁠2011)
Children4
EducationWinona State University
OccupationTrain dispatcher, farmer

Early life

edit

Born in Mindoro, Wisconsin, Roberts was rejected for military service during World War II because of a heart defect.

Career

edit

Roberts became interested in public service after taking a course at Winona State University.[2] He later served on the local school board. Roberts worked as a train dispatcher and farmer. Later, Roberts served as a bank director.

From 1971 to 1985 and 1987 to 1993, Roberts served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly. He was an unsuccessful nominee for the Wisconsin State Senate in the 1984 election. Roberts was a Democrat.[3]

Death

edit

He died on April 6, 2011, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, one week before his 89th birthday.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ 'A Life Remembered Former legislator Roberts dies,' La Crosse Tribune, Chris Hubbuch, April 8, 2011, B1
  2. ^ Obituary of Virgil Roberts, Dickinson Funeral Home
  3. ^ staff, DARIN ZANK of the Courier (4 July 2003). "For Virgil Roberts, it's the end of an era". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  4. ^ Virgil Roberts, Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the La Crosse 2nd district
January 4, 1971 – January 1, 1973
District abolished
District established by 1971 Wis. Act 304 Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 94th district
January 1, 1973 – January 3, 1983
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 35th district
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 94th district
January 5, 1987 – January 2, 1995
Succeeded by