Peace Corps Mourns the Loss of Volunteer John Roberts
The Peace Corps is mourning the loss of John D. Roberts, a Peace Corps Volunteer in Vanuatu. Roberts died as the result of an accident while working at his site on October 11. A student was cutting branches from a tree at the school where Roberts and other students were cleaning the garden, and when one of the branches fell, it struck Roberts and another member of the community. Tragically, both were killed. "John was an exemplary Volunteer who had a true heart for service," said Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter. "John's death is a tremendous loss for his family, the Peace Corps, and the People of Vanuatu—in particular those in the community where he served. Read more.
Family Remembers Peace Corps Volunteer
Doug Roberts told KETV NewsWatch 7 on Friday that his son graduated from Westside High School in 2001 and from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2005. He said his son's life was about helping people, and he said he and his wife are struggling to come to terms with their son's death. "You never anticipate a phone call like this. I knew it could happen -- you always know it can happen," Doug Roberts said. "John was our only child, which makes it doubly difficult. I always knew this day could occur. I tried not to think about it." Doug Roberts said his son was scheduled to come home next month. "The anticipation of getting him home was what was keeping me going. We were going to have a Thanksgiving celebration here -- have it as big as we could, and with as many family members as we could get here," he said. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday and the director of the Peace Corps will speak. Doug Roberts said his son's death was an accident, and at this point they are not blaming anyone. He said the family just wants to celebrate his life and memory. Read more.
Read more about Peace Corps Vanuatu.
Read more about the Peace Corps Fallen.
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