Longtime Holden resident, businessman and community leader Charles “Chuck” Roberts passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

Roberts had owned and operated Roberts Home and Auto, which had been in the same location for 32 years.  It was originally Western Auto when Roberts purchased the store in 1975.  The store was recently closed as Roberts retired.

Roberts had been a member of the Holden Chamber of Commerce and was very active in the Holden community for many years.  He was also a member of the Holden United Methodist Church, Holden Masonic Lodge #262 AF & AM, where he received his 50-year pin on September 20, 2006, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, The American Legion, and Holden Optimist Club.

He had spent most of his youth in the Independence and Blue Springs area, graduating from Blue Springs High School.  He served in the United States Air Force between November of 1950 and completion of his tour of duty in 1954.  Roberts joined his father’s operation of a Western Auto store in Blue Springs and later moved to Holden to open his own store.  His son Phil became a partner in the business and remained with the store until its closing last December.

A Masonic service, conducted by Holden Masonic Lodge #262 AF & AM was conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 29, 2008 at the Holden United Methodist Church immediately followed by funeral services with Pastor Pat Kelley officiating.

Memorial contributions for Roberts are suggested to the Holden Masonic Lodge or Memorial Fund of the Holden United Methodist Church.

Mayor Mike Wakeman said of Roberts, “He was a dedicated businessman and a dedicated citizen to the city of Holden.  He would do anything for you; was very trustworthy and did wonderful things for the community.  He will be greatly missed.”

Holden businessman Scotty Walker, a friend of Roberts’ said, “Chuck was a great guy.  When I came to town he welcomed me to the community and gave me great advice and I still use that advice to this day.  He also found out I was a Mason and invited me to join the Holden Masons so I became an active member.  We’ll all miss Chuck.”

Roberts’ next door neighbor downtown was Linda Frasier of Country Creations and she said, “Chuck had a way of making everyone feel comfortable and at ease.  He would try to initiate conversations about topics he knew the other person was interested in.  For instance, he would often talk to me about horses.  Many times he would tell me about growing up on the farm and riding the work horses.  I think his friendly, outgoing way is probably what made him a success as well as a popular businessman.”

The community will miss him and extends condolences to his family.