In Memoriam

Today we celebrate the citizen-architect Helm Roberts, who died on August 26, 2011 at the age of 80. Roberts had been:

• a Naval pilot during Korea and Vietnam
• winner of the design competition for the Frankfort, Kentucky Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, dedicated in 1988
• an employee at the Los Angeles-based Victor Gruen Associates, as had been Cesar Pelli and Norma Merrick Sklarek
• a businessman, running Helm Roberts Architect / Planner in Lexington, Kentucky for over forty years
• an advocate for the preservation of Kentucky farming landscapes
• a volunteer for the International Book Project
• a board member for the YMCA, Second Presbyterian Church, and Boy Scouts

"Besides always strongly supporting the activities of his family and friends," states his obituary, "he had many interests, including their dog, Orion, American history, genealogy, houseboat construction, photography, wood working, sketching, masonry arts and ancient civilizations."

Helm Roberts was an American architect who served his country well.

More:

• This week's Architecture Newsletter celebrates Decoration Day
• Great Memorials and Monuments

^{SOURCE: "Obituaries: Helm Roberts," Lazear Funeral Home, at The Independent Online, August 29, 2011.
Photograph of Kentucky Vietnam Veteran's Memorial ©ArtToday.com.}