Melvin Floyd Roberts
(December 24, 1920 â?? January 26, 2013)
Melvin F. 'Bob' Roberts of Surprise, Arizona, (previously of Boaz, Alabama and Niles, Illinois), passed away at the age of 92 . He was born December 24, 1920 in Detroit, Michigan to Floyd F. and Elizabeth J. Roberts. Brother to Mildred Cywinski (deceased), Roy (deceased), step brother to Omer Church and step sister to Gloria Dinger-Church. He married Marjorie A. Lausch (deceased) on February 14, 1942. He is survived by his one beloved daughter, Carole Lynn (Robert) Alverson.
He grew up on his family farm near Sinclair Shores, MI. At a young age he left home to make his fortune in Chicago. He worked with the CCCâ??s on many U.S. preservation projects. He joined Craft Manufacturing Company, Chicago, as a tool and die press man in the mid 1930â??s. Within a few years, he had his first invention: the automatic milking machine used in dairy farming. In early 1940â??s he took the challenge of developing armor piercing bullets for the U.S. Government. He was then asked to work on the secret Manhattan Project. During this time he designed and patented the triggering device on the atomic bomb. During the 1950â??s, he became VP Engineering and co-owner of Craft. During the U.S. space age he can be credited for the design of the first nose cone that went in to outer space. In the late 1960â??s he and his partners sold Craft to Bloomfield Industries, Chicago. During this time his patents revolved around the restaurant industry. These include a self dislodging ice cream scoop, drip-less gravy ladle, and mostly known for his patent on a glass coffee decanter with a plastic handle replacing the metal handle which caused the glass to break when heated and cooled. He also had many patents for the internal workings of the Silex Coffee Maker, distributed internationally. His God given talents has left this world a better place through the implementation of 72 patents under his name.
His passion was flying and owning small airplanes. He was a member of AOPA and the Quiet Birdman Society (QBâ??s). He loved wild birds and gardening.
There will be a private service at Nelson Funeral Home, 820 Talcott Road, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068 with interment at Montrose Cemetery, 5400 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, condolence cards can be sent c/o Nelson Funeral Home.