Salisbury Post - May 1999 Obituary [View Scan Version]
Note: the Time magazine article mentioned as 1954 was actually the November 1955 issue.
Ralph L. Roberts
Ralph L. Roberts, 82, Parkview Circle, died Friday (April 30, 1999) at his home.
Born Aug. 17, 1916, in Salisbury, he was the son of the late Hugh Kerr and Lula Walker Roberts.
He was educated in the Salisbury City Schools and graduated from Catawba College. He was a World War II veteran, serving as assistant adjutant general to Gen. Joseph Stilwell in Burma. He was one of the first liaison officers from the Pentagon to the White House.
Following his military service, he attended the Method acting school in New York, studying under Lee Strasberg with others including James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Shelley Winters and Marlon Brando. He went on to a career on stage and screen, appearing with Marilyn Monroe in "The Misfits" and with Dean Martin and Judy Holliday in "The Bells are Ringing."
He was on the cover of "Time" magazine in 1954. He had lived in New York and California before moving back to Salisbury.
Survivors include sister Mabel R. Hoffner, Cartersville, Ga.
Services: Graveside, 3 p.m. Monday, City Memorial Park
Visitation: None.
Memorials: Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher St., Salisbury, N.C. 28144.