SgtMaj Alan "Spike" Roberts

Born September 7, 1948 in Bluefield, West Virginia, Alan Richard Roberts was given the name “Spike” by his grandfather on the day he was born.

Spike grew up in Keystone, WV and graduated from Northfork Elkhorn High School, where he was an All-State Athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduation, Spike worked for the N&W Railroad for several years. He then entered the United States Marine Corps, serving for 31 years and achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. At the time of his retirement, he was one of the most senior Sergeants Major in the Corps. After his retirement from the Marines, he worked for the Office of Veterans Affairs in SC. During that time, he earned a BA from Limestone College and an MA in Human Resources from Charleston Southern University. In 2004, Spike opened his company, Human Resources Consulting Group. After selling the company, he returned to government service. Under President George W. Bush, he served on behalf of the United States as the Director of Training of the Armed Forces of Liberia and Commandant of Camp Ware. In 2008, work brought him to Virginia where he and his wife, Donna, put down deep roots. Spike was Dad to Randy, Bruce, Stephanie, and Brittany and to many other young people whom he loved and mentored throughout his life.

In life, Spike found pleasure in serving in the Marine Corps League, the American Legion, Rotary International, and as a dedicated volunteer for multiple children’s charities, sports teams, and Mary Washington Hospital. His greatest fulfillment was in his active church life. Spike loved God. In Jesus, he always felt he was “more blessed than he deserved to be.” In later life, Spike would say of himself, “I’m a lucky dog.” His hope was that all who knew him in life, knew Jesus as their personal Savior so that they could join him eternally in God’s glorious presence.

He was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Peg Roberts; his sister Trudy Greil; and Jerry Dado, his beloved aunt, who, along with her husband Ralph, loved and cared for Spike like a son.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 27 at Redeemer Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held privately.

Spike requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.