Richard Roberts was born and raised in Red River County, Texas, where he attended a small school in Annona and graduated in 1957. He was the youngest of four siblings, two of whom also worked in Texas schools.
He attended East Texas State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and met his wife, Linda. They married in 1959. Richard began his career in education in 1961 as a math teacher in Bovina, Texas. Like many young teachers of that time, he drove morning and afternoon bus routes, as well as buses for school trips.
He later earned his mid-management certification from West Texas State University and became principal of Sanford-Fritch High School in 1969. In 1972, he moved to Loop, Texas, where he served as principal while Linda taught elementary school and their daughter, Teresa, began second grade. After earning his superintendent certification from Texas Tech University, Richard became superintendent of Loop ISD. He and Linda retired from Loop ISD in 1998, though Richard continued to serve as an interim superintendent in four West Texas school districts.
Richard’s involvement with the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) began shortly after retirement, when he and Linda were encouraged by fellow retirees to attend local meetings. What began as simple participation quickly grew into deeper involvement, thanks in large part to the encouragement and friendships he found along the way.
“If you can just get people to join and show up, the rest will come,” Richard said. “That’s what happened to me. I wasn’t planning on doing anything.”
In 2002, Richard and Linda joined the Terry County Retired Teachers Association, where he served in various local leadership roles. By 2004, he had been elected to a district position. Under the mentorship of district president Glenna Burns, Richard grew into leadership roles, eventually serving as District 17 president and later as vice chairman of the District Presidents Council.
His service on the council led to one of the most pivotal moments in his TRTA career. When council chairman Janice Bond was out of the country, Richard was asked to step in on the executive committee by then-TRTA president Jack Felts. During that time, the committee made a decision that would shape the future of the association. They hired a young candidate named Tim Lee as TRTA’s Executive Director.
Richard still smiles when recalling the moment. “We hired a little redheaded 29-year-old kid,” he said. “That’s probably the most important thing I ever did with TRTA.”
That decision sparked not only a lasting impact on the organization, but also a deep personal friendship. Over the years, Richard and Tim developed a close bond, sharing time together during West Texas visits, often with Richard picking him up from the airport and even hosting him in his home. Their friendship extended beyond TRTA, with shared interests like cars, both proudly owning red Corvettes, and a mutual appreciation for storytelling and humor.
Richard fondly recalls introducing Tim to West Texas life, including his first encounter with a tumbleweed. “He thought we were going to have a wreck,” Richard laughed. “You can ask him about that tumbleweed.”
Throughout his years of service, Richard served on the TRTA state board for more than a decade and chaired multiple committees, including those that helped shape the association’s convention structure. He also chaired the Leadership Committee for four years, helping train district presidents and support leadership development, and later served on the Legislative Committee.
Beyond formal roles, Richard’s impact can be seen in the relationships he built. He speaks warmly of TRTA leaders like Teri Navrkal and Judy Kennedy, both of whom remained close friends. “Those friendships mean everything,” he said. “That’s what keeps you coming back.”
Today, he continues to live in Brownfield, carrying with him decades of memories, friendships, and a legacy of service.
Reflecting on his journey, it’s clear that Richard Roberts didn’t just participate in TRTA, he helped shape it. And through it all, he remains a testament to the power of showing up, getting involved, and building lasting connections.
