In Loving Memory of Hugh Roberts (July 6, 1950 – August 15, 2026)

Hugh Roberts passed away on Saturday, August 15 at his home in Helena, Montana. After years of battling throat cancer, Hugh died peacefully of natural causes.

Hugh was born July 6, 1950, in Butte, Montana, to Joe and Jo Ann Roberts. He grew up in Butte with his sister Mary Ann. Hugh attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and graduated from Butte High School in 1968. Hugh’s childhood was spent riding bikes through the neighborhoods of the West Side and playing in the mine dumps near their home. If he wasn’t outside playing, he and his family were hosting parties in their home or out to dinner at one of the many Butte Supper Clubs. In typical Butte fashion, Hugh had many nicknames - Huey, Huggy Bear, and Huge. Huge is a good description of the way he lived life.

Hugh went on to attend Gonzaga University and the University of Montana before earning his postgraduate degree in physical therapy from the Mayo Clinic. After graduate school, Hugh spent most of his life in Helena until splitting time between Helena and Flathead Lake for much of the last decade.

In July 1974, he married Kris (Joki) Roberts of Butte. Together they built a life centered around family, friendship, and time at the lake whenever possible. Hugh and Kris raised two children, Joslyn and Hugh (HJ), and were blessed with four grandchildren: Sean and Cecilia Carney and Hugh III and Caroline Roberts. Later in life, he became known to his family simply as Poppi.

His friendships were also central to Hugh’s life. Hugh remained close to friends from childhood, college, from his years in Helena, and from the hunting and archery communities that became such an important part of his life. An annual tradition over the past four decades was gathering with lifelong friends and their families at Flathead Lake for a summer weekend. Gatherings with “the 3Rs” at Flathead Lake were filled with laughter and memories and eventually led to Hugh and Kris having their own summer home on Flathead Lake.

Hugh spent the majority of his professional life working as a geriatric physical therapist, visiting his patients at local nursing homes or providing in-home care. He enjoyed listening to the stories of his patients and sharing stories of his own. One of the infamous lines he told his patients was, “Keep your nose above your toes.”

Hugh had a lifelong love of the outdoors and travel--a passion that led him to visit all 50 states, China, and several countries across Europe. His love of the outdoors began with floating the Big Hole River with his father and friends. Later in life, Hugh discovered bow and rifle hunting for whitetail deer. Hugh hunted many weekends at his dear friend’s ranch near Three Forks or with other friends and family all around Montana. With the love of the outdoors came his affection for dogs, especially bird dogs who could join him on hunting and fishing trips. His last dog, Shadow, earned his name, as he never left Hugh’s side.

Hugh was endlessly curious and interested in learning new trades. He was willing to fix anything in the house, be it carpentry, electrical, or plumbing. His hobbies ranged from drawing and painting to tying flies, woodworking, songwriting, and any number of projects in his shop, big or small.

Hugh was a man of strong opinions. He was never shy about offering advice, whether solicited or not. He was a backseat driver until his final days, and those who knew him best will smile when remembering his running commentary from the passenger seat. He had a dry, blunt sense of humor and was often funny whether he intended to be or not. He had phrases for just about everything, and when something was particularly difficult, he might simply describe it as a “bearcat.” These quirks were part of Hugh, and they will be among the things his family and friends will miss most.

Hugh leaves behind his beloved wife of 52 years Kris Roberts; his daughter Joslyn (Jim) Carney; his son HJ (Amy) Roberts; his sister Mary Ann (Mike) Kerns; four grandchildren he adored; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Hugh will be remembered for his love of family, loyalty to his friends, passion for the outdoors, desire to learn, strong opinions, and his distinctive blue eyes.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday, August 21 at 10:30 AM at the Cathedral of Saint Helena. A gathering to follow at Brother's Tapworks in downtown Helena from 12:00-3:00. Memorials are suggested to the Helena Food Share or the Prickly Pear Land Trust.