Four generations at UB: the Roberts family

He was the only grandfather in his psychology class when he returned to UB at age 49. Beyond the wish to build on his 1964 associate's degree, Donald C. Roberts, B.A. '93, sought to forge another link in his family's association with UB, now extending to four generations. Son Donald C. (Charlie) Roberts is in the UB law school class of 1997.

While at UB in the 1960s, Donald C., now a Buffalo-area insurance broker, met his wife, Heather MacKenzie, B.A. '69 & M.Ed. '83. The couple, who have three other children, recall "the lifelong friendships that began at UB in the 1960s and the fun of building fraternity and sorority floats, beer blasts at Washington Hall in Buffalo, football games, and playing pinochle in Norton Union."

Donald C.'s father, Myron, 92, lives in Kenmore. A 1930 dental school graduate, he earned an orthodontia degree from Columbia, then returned to Buffalo, practicing and teaching for 40 years in the dental school. He retired as professor emeritus. Myron, who recalls membership in Bison Head Senior Honor Society and tenure as class president, earned a varsity letter for managing UB's champion basketball teams.

The Roberts family first connected with UB in 1902, when Jay G. (J.G.) Roberts left the family farm in Medina to study dentistry. Graduating from UB in 1905, he practiced in Buffalo for more than 50 years. He and son Myron were the State Dental Association's first father and son presidents.

J.G.'s other sons were Albert, who graduated from dental school in the 1920s, practicing in Buffalo, and Frank, who attended UB before going to Harvard Law.

Donald C.'s siblings are also UB alums. Susan Roberts Oberkircher received a master's from UB and married Oscar Oberkircher, a UB medical school graduate. Myron Jr. also attended UB.