James Allen Roberts
James Allen Roberts, formerly of Saline, a Stanford gynecologic oncologist and father of three, died March 16 at his home in Los Altos Hills, Calif. He was 53.
A native of Los Altos, Roberts is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Roberts, Jr. An Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America as a youth, Roberts attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), graduating cum laude with a degree in zoology.
After earning a medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, Roberts began his career at UCLA and later moved to the University of Iowa. He established an international reputation during his 17 years at the University of Michigan, where he served as director of the division of gynecologic oncology in 1986–1994, becoming a full professor in 1993. He also participated in a number of professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, the International Gynecologic Cancer Center and the Western Association of Gynecologic Oncologists (president 1992–93).
In 1997, Roberts left the U-M to become professor and chair of the section of gynecology at Stanford University. He also worked as a staff physician at the Saint Joseph Medical Center in Stockton, Calif. and as a consultant for the Gill Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Group. Last year he was honored as one of America’s “Best Doctors” and in January his peers selected him as one of the Bay Area’s most trusted physicians.
Roberts was born in Milwaukee, Wis., and is predeceased by his father, John, and brother, Michael. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Rosemary; his three children, James, Brian of Ann Arbor and Maureen; his mother, Florence; his brothers, Daniel and John; and his sisters, Sandra and Theresa.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the James A. Roberts, M.D., Memorial Fund, Stanford University Medical Center, Section of Gynecologic Oncology, 300 Pasteur Drive, Room H302, Stanford, Calif. 94305-5317.
Submitted by Spangler Mortuary, Los Altos, Calif., at the request of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
