Dale Lavern Roberson dies at 78
Dale Lavern Roberson, MD, FACR, 78, formerly of Cedar Rapids, finished his race and won his crown of righteousness on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, in Birmingham, Ala., dying from complications of Parkinson’s disease.Dale was born May 25, 1938, in Elma, to Lloyd R. Roberson and Ruth Munson Roberson, who predeceased him. With his two younger siblings, Julie and Tom, he grew up on a farm in Howard County. He attended a rural one-room elementary school, taught for a few years by his mother, and graduated in 1957 from New Hampton High School. The first in his family to attend college, he earned his bachelor’s degree and MD from the University of Iowa. On Aug. 13, 1962, in Creve Coeur, Mo., he married Ann Elaine Williams, beginning a marriage of almost 54 years. After an internship in St. Paul, Minn., he served for two years as a medical officer in the US Navy, based in San Diego, before returning to Iowa for his residency in radiology. He loved his 38 years of practice at Radiology Consultants of Iowa, where he was a leader and innovator until retiring at age 70. He and Ann raised two children, Erik and Elisa, who were blessed by his immeasurable patience, kindness, wisdom, and generosity. At each destination in life, he fed his faith in confessional Lutheran congregations, and was a longtime member and lay leader at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Faith and family were his priorities and he also loved to cheer the Hawkeyes and Cubs, celebrate his Norwegian heritage with lutefisk and lefse, and converse with his great friends over a fine meal.He is survived by his wife, Ann Roberson, of Birmingham, Ala; his son Erik Roberson, daughter-in-law Miriam Roberson, and grandchildren Caleb, Eden, and Micah, of Birmingham, Ala; his daughter Elisa Kretz, son-in-law Andrew Kretz, and grandchildren Kevin and Sara, of Fairfield; sister Julie Scott (Bernie Segal), of Aurora, Colo; brother Tom Roberson (Linda), of Strawberry Point; his nieces Kristin Scott Nolan of Fairbanks, Alaska, Heather Ludwig (Robert) of Nevada, and Kelly McKee (Larry) of Littleton, Colo; and by many dear friends made throughout his life.A funeral service was held Aug. 8, 2016 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Birmingham, Ala. There will be a visitation on Friday, Aug. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home and a memorial service on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, followed by a luncheon and private inurnment.Memorial gifts may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, in whose research studies of Parkinson’s disease Dale participated, or the University of Alabama at Birmingham Alzheimer’s Disease Center.“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.” 2 Tim 4:7-8
