douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011

your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. When Brian was 8, Comcast was a fledgling cable operator that Ralph Roberts had founded after jumping in and out of a handful of other businesses. ''Every chance I get I step back and say, 'Here is Brian.' He sold it in 1961 to form his own venture capital firm, the International Equity Corporation, from which he began his foray into cable television. Inquirer staff writer Harold Brubaker and former staff writer Thomas J. Brady contributed to this article. Contributions may be made to the Germantown Boys and Girls Club, 25 W. Penn St., Philadelphia 19144, or the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia 19103, or at http://unitedforimpact.org/ways-to-give. can stop at any time. IN THE CARE OF. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. In addition to his wife, Ralph is survived by four of his children and their spouses: Catherine R. Clifton and Anthony A. Clifton, Lisa S. Roberts and David Seltzer, Ralph Roberts Jr. and Kim Roberts, Brian L. Roberts and Aileen K. Roberts and Diane Roberts, widow of Ralph and Suzannes son Douglas Roberts, who passed away in September 2011. Their simple philosophy was summed up by Mr. Roberts in an interview with The New York Times in 2007. The deal put the cable company on a far larger corporate map. They were like mass therapy sessions with the children.''. Though many aging entrepreneurs resist relinquishing power despite all their promises to do so, Comcast has begun notifying local cable commissions of the pending change of control, which Ralph Roberts said would be no later than early next year. And all of them are rich. Mr. Roberts has by all accounts done a skillful job of grooming Brian to fill his shoes so that he is both respected by his peers and supported by his siblings. When not on the basketball court, Douglas loved playing cards, spending time with his family, and helping those less fortunate. He felt, 'This doesn't have to be about me.' He was committed to the fight against cancer, and along with his wife and family, helped establish the Roberts Proton Therapy Center. Funeral homes; Help and advice. ''We would have discussions about our lives. The recent deal was begun when the executive committee of Cablelabs, the cable industry's research and development arm that included Brian Roberts and John Malone, chairman of Tele-Communications Inc., the country's largest cable operator, visited Microsoft in late April. He was an inspiration to us all and we will miss him greatly.". He wanted to marry her after several years, but she wasn't ready. DOUGLAS ROBERTS OBITUARY. His plan is to turn over the votes to Brian but make sure to divide the financial pie fairly among all the offspring. JUST as important, family-business experts say the apparent harmony within the Roberts family bodes well for the chances of a smooth transition. Asked what it was like to run a company with one's father, Brian Roberts said his dad was a superb work partner, mentor, and parent. On ski trips, he would patiently lace up five pairs of ski boots. Write your message of sympathy today. Their son, Brian L. Roberts, is the current CEO of Comcast Corporation. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Maybe it was losing both his parents before he was 21, living through the Depression, but somehow he became an optimist. Brian brought in the Walt Disney Company to put up most of the funds for the acquisition, even though Comcast management gained effective control of E Entertainment. California residents do not sell my data request. Douglas Scott was born April 8,1958 to Joe Nathan Scott and Mona (nee Page) Scott. '', Brian Roberts acknowledges that decision making, what he calls ''pulling the trigger,'' is something you learn. For example, it was Brian Roberts who was on the board of Turner Broadcasting before Time Warner bought it in 1996, and it was Brian who was president of the National Cable Television Association's board in 1995. He had resided in Leesburg for the past two years. He also participated in continuing education programs at Harvard Business School. Douglas is survived by his wife DeLene (nee Edmon) Scott, his loving children Douglas (Erin Sutton) Scott and Monique (Terri) Davis; his mother Mona Scott; his siblings Vernon Scott, Steven Scott, Michael Scott and Patricia Yusuff and many loving family and friends. Later, as a college student, he bought eggs from farms in New Jersey and peddled them to fraternities at a discount. In 1996, Comcast spent $240 million and agreed to pick up $170 million in debt to gain the majority interest in the Flyers, the 76ers, the Spectrum, and what was then the CoreStates Center. Questions? [9], In 1942, Roberts married Suzanne Fleisher,[10] who was also Jewish,[2] an actress and playwright, and daughter of philanthropist Alfred W. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. When I think of Ralph, it is always with the utmost affection.". Mr. Immelt was aware that many deals dont get concluded, the elder Mr. Roberts was quoted as saying in The Incredible Dream, a 2012 biography by William Novak, and he wanted some reassurance from the father of the groom that we wouldnt let this opportunity slip through our fingers.. In a family business, even the strongest allegiances can crack under the strain of a mismanaged transition at the top, but people familiar with Comcast say the younger Mr. Roberts is proving his mettle. Under Brian Roberts, Comcast has built on its standing as a cable television power to become a media and entertainment giant in content creation and Internet and voice services. ''The father is open. He moved his family to New Rochelle, N.Y., when Ralph was 5. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four of his children and their spouses: Catherine R. Clifton and Anthony A. Clifton, Lisa S. Roberts and David Seltzer, Ralph Roberts Jr. and Kim Roberts, Brian L. Roberts and Aileen K. Roberts and Diane Roberts, widow of Ralph and Suzannes son Douglas Roberts, who passed away in September 2011. Besides his son Brian, Mr. Roberts is survived by his wife, the host of the Comcast Network program Seeking Solutions With Suzanne, aimed at viewers 50 and older; two daughters, Catherine Clifton and Lisa Roberts; another son, Ralph Jr.; and eight grandchildren. Obituary Roberts, Douglas David It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Douglas Roberts on August 1, 2013 at The Wellington Nursing Home in his 89th year. The 1998 Inquirer Executive Compensation Survey showed that Mr. Roberts was paid $45 million, ranking second on The Inquirer's list of the most highly compensated chief executives in the region. He was 95. "We would have dinner as a family. Even as he is promoting his son, the elder Mr. Roberts is looking after the financial interests of his other children. Mr. Roberts has reason to track the way family-run companies pass the baton from one generation to next. The Gettys or that family in Texas,'' he continued, referring to Harold Simmons, the Texas investor who is at war with his daughters. Word of Mr. Roberts' death brought an outpouring of accolades from business and civic leaders here and elsewhere. to the family or plant a tree The former husband of Linda (Phillips) Roberts of Huntington, NY, he was the father of Leslie Roberts of Huntington and Daniel Roberts of Portland, OR. Blogs; Online will; Shop. ''Usually we have about 200.''. Ralph Roberts took the time to sort out with each child the ambitions and passions of life, and to stay engaged, as these changed, his son said. Less than $5 per month May 2, 2021 He also sold advertising on ink blotters. Fleisher. [6], Roberts served on the boards of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Brandywine River Museum, the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, and the PENN Medicine Board of Trustees. He owned various companies, including Pioneer Suspenders, which marketed wallets and belts for men. Brodsky, the company's longtime finance guru, on Friday described Mr. Roberts as his best friend and a "charismatic, fearless visionary" who gave people the confidence to do things they thought were impossible. Now Brian typically takes the lead.''. But as I began to look at what was happening, I realized the cable business was the best of all the ones I had invested in, and decided to go forward full boat.. "I never had a bad idea in working for him for 30-plus years," Roberts said. Upon graduating high school, Douglas went on to attend Wilbur Wright College briefly before following in his fathers footsteps and serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A remembrance ceremony to celebrate Roberts' life will follow at a future date. As the years passed, Mr. Roberts, with his shock of white hair and signature bow tie, made sure that Comcast's homey values remained in place. Roberts was born on March 13, 1920, in New York City. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. "Ralph has been the heart and soul of Comcast for 50 years," said his son, Comcast president and CEO Brian L. Roberts, in a note to employees Friday morning. He was a gentle soul with an infectious spirit who will be greatly missed. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Start searching today using our powerful and intuitive search. "He was the greatest influence in my life and a joy for me to work side by side with for over three decades. Stone Funeral Home. Our activities are so public. Most recently, Roberts and his wife, Suzanne, received the Philadelphia Award to highlight their lifetime contributions to the city in business, philanthropy, and arts and culture. There are no events at this time. Most of his pay, he said, came from $43 million in profit from expiring stock options he had to exercise. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. On the contrary, he says, ''Brian takes the lead and is the one forging ahead and trying to figure out where they are going,'' Mr. Maffei said. Private. Then in 1941, after seeing him twirling with another dance partner, she "grabbed Ralph, took him out on the golf course, and said, 'I want to marry you.' At the time of his death, Mr. Roberts was past president and chairman emeritus of the public company, which has its headquarters on John F. Kennedy Boulevard. It also sells those services to businesses. In addition, Ralph Roberts personally owns another 5.2 million nonvoting shares, as well as 319,00 class A shares. Let others know about your loved one's death. Even though Brian is the CEO, Ralph set the tone from a business point of view.". It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website. We'll automatically email you when obituaries are added that match your search query. He was the most optimistic man I ever knew. '', That would have been a wrenching decision, as it almost invariably is for the founder of a company. (66 years old). ''All this would never have happened in the arms of a second wife,'' according to Mr. Danco. The acquisition, which faced scrutiny from Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department, was scuttled in April of this year. ", Mayor Nutter called Mr. Roberts a "consummate gentleman, kind and gentle husband and father, and a great business leader.". He had a way of leading and managing that is razor-smart, focused, intuitive, strong, but all with a velvet glove," said chief communications officer D'Arcy Rudnay. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. . An actress, director and host of Seeking Solutions with Suzanne, Suzanne has spent a lifetime seeking to help others. ''They drag the business down because it kills the morale of everybody in the company.''. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/22/business/the-heir-is-clearly-apparent-at-comcast.html. There was plenty of room to give the son a shot. She was not amused. Let others know about your loved one's death. founded Comcast Corp. with the purchase of a 1,200-subscriber cable television system in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1963, died Thursday night of natural causes in Philadelphia. DOUGLAS ROBERTS OBITUARY ROBERTS, DOUGLAS M. Lawton Passed away July 28, 2012 at his residence. But the elder Mr. Roberts has probably come as close as any company founder can to setting the stage for an orderly succession. Mr. Roberts built Comcast through a series of acquisitions of cable systems around the country. It shows the power of Ralph's influence, that he has been able to keep that feeling alive over 50 years," Cohen said. Enter "So much of what he is to the public is what he was to us. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Would you like to offer Douglas A. Robertss loved ones a condolence message? Published. Comcast, with $68.8 billion in revenue and 139,000 employees, is the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet, and telephone provider to homes. With its acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011, the firm took its place among the global leaders in communications and entertainment. The deal would have relegated Comcast, the biggest QVC shareholder, to be a minor, and passive, investor in CBS, and the elder Mr. Roberts wanted no part of that. 1-800-896-5587 (Mon-Fri, 7am-6pm MDT) Annual Membership . '', Brian Roberts, on the other hand, seems to relish his public role. The couple celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2012. In 1963, he and his partners, Daniel Aaron and Julian A. Brodsky, paid $500,000 for a 1,200-subscriber cable TV operator in Tupelo, Mississippi, called American Cable Systems. Brian Roberts countered that other companies, including Comcast, were aggressively upgrading. The potential for conflict is obvious. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Quickly locate a newspaper obituary or death notice. Anyone can read what you share. And experts say the odds of a successful transition are greater at Comcast than at most family businesses. I speak for all of us when I say he will be greatly missed. Ralph J. Roberts, the man whofounded Comcast Corp. with the purchase of a 1,200-subscriber cable television system in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1963, died Thursday night of natural causes in Philadelphia. It is only natural for the world to wonder: How will Brian's siblings react to all this? People who never had a financial problem in their lives can never understand what terror there is in that.''. What is more common is that this kind of agreement does not happen. Promoting an heir apparent may have been easier for the elder Mr. Roberts than for other entrepreneurs. He rose to president and chief executive at Pioneer and eventually bought the company. ''Deals like Microsoft and QVC would not have happened without Brian,'' said Steven Rattner, deputy chief executive of Lazard Freres & Company, who has worked with the family for about a decade. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Doug was predeceased by his infant. Moving to Germantown with his family from New Rochelle, N.Y., after his father's death, he graduated from Germantown High School and in 1941 from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a bachelor's degree. The deal made Comcast the nations largest cable operator. [1], When Roberts was five the family moved to New Rochelle, New York and then after his father died of a heart-attack, to Germantown, Philadelphia when he was seventeen to live with his stepfather Harry Bobrow, of Bobrow Brothers Cigars. Then, chuckling, he added, ''It was probably a very good lesson for Brian -- no question about it. Mr. Roberts has been married to his wife, Suzanne, for 54 years. While building Comcast, he built an economic engine for the city of Philadelphia as well.". That never happens.". Already in his 40s, he was approached by a Philadelphia acquaintance named Dan Aaron, who alerted him to a 1,200-subscriber cable television system for sale in Tupelo. He has five children, aged 36 to 47. Suzanne Roberts. '', Both parents said that in bringing up their brood, they worked hard to see that the children connected with one another. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Comcast's decision in late April to abandon its $45 billion deal to buy Time Warner Cable Inc. was a rare misstep for the company and a trimming of its ambitions for the moment. "But I don't think I'll be seeing too many more," he said. In his leisure time, on which Mr. Roberts insisted, he rode horses, foxhunted, and enjoyed his family. Find the obituary of Douglas A. Roberts (1955 - 2021) from Mount Carmel, IL. ALL along, however, Mr. Roberts has drawn his son closer to the center of action inside Comcast and pushed him into the spotlight outside the company. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. Brian, born in 1959, was the fourth. (Mr. Bush won the states other Senate seat two years later.). It is amazing. If he hadn't, his father confesses, ''I probably would have sold the company. So he made his own bid for QVC, with TCI as a partner, effectively killing the CBS deal. But that verve was always tempered by a calm affability and a cautious approach to spending money. The industry as we know it today that is generating enormous revenues and is the way that most American consumers get their television was invented by Ralph Roberts and these other cable barons, said Josh Bernoff, a media analyst. ''Barry is very charismatic and hypnotic, but we were not going to lose our business and become a nonvoting stockholder of CBS to provide Barry with an entree to CBS.'' Through the 1970s and '80s, it built cable networks, learned to maintain them, and profited by Mr. Roberts' favorite element - recurring monthly income. We all will.". Since I was 12, all I wanted to do was work with my dad, Brian Roberts said in an interview for this obituary. He managed to get a photograph of Bob Hope holding the club and asked him to endorse it, to help out a veteran, Mr. Roberts recalled, but there was never any formal agreement. Although eager to serve on a ship, Mr. Roberts spent his World War II duty as matriel superintendent in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. . Ralph J. Roberts, who at the dawn of the cable television industry bought a small cable service in Tupelo, Miss., and built it into Comcast, today the largest cable television company in the nation, died Thursday night in Philadelphia. The appeal was the Roberts team, the challenge, and the firm's culture. He is steel. [4] In 1998, the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Roberts into their Hall of Fame. He is survived by : his parents, Terrance Andrew Roberts, Sr. and Geraldine Thompson (Boyce); his children, Sarah Roberts-Hanna, Katherine Allen, Sabrina McComas and Daniel Roberts; his grandchildren, Harper, Emily and Taylor; and his siblings, Danny Roberts and Charmaine Hankins. After Brian received an undergraduate business degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1981, Ralph Roberts tried to steer him to another company, where he would have to fight his own battles. [2][3] Roberts graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and served a four-year tour on duty in the United States Navy.[4]. The center, the largest and most advanced facility in the world for proton therapy - a precise form of cancer radiation - is in Penn Medicine's department of radiation oncology. [15][16], Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 06:20, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, National Conference of Christians and Jews, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, New York Times: "Ralph Roberts, Cable TV Pioneer Who Built Comcast, Dies at 95", "Love: Suzanne (Fleisher) Roberts & Ralph J. Roberts", "Brian Roberts' Jewish Roots and Outsized Ambition Drive Comcast's Rise in Media", University of Pennsylvania Medicine: "About the Roberts", "Ralph Roberts, Cable TV Pioneer Who Built Comcast, Dies at 95", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement", Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia: Our Hall of Fame, Eastern State Penitentiary: "Funders for the Synagogue Restoration", "Starring Role - From the boards to the funding, Suzanne Roberts lives for the stage", "Howard Gerstley Fleisher, 95, Businessman and Active Volunteer", Daily Finance: "Comcast's Brian Roberts: The low-key exec who leads a high-profile giant" By Jonathan Berr, The Cable Center: "Cable Hall of Fame Archives - Ralph J. Roberts, "Comcast founder Ralph Roberts dies at 95. There was another side to Mr. Roberts - as a mentor to those other than his son. Actually, he added, "I've had a lot of bad ideas, but he would never say that. Get alerts, search tips, and advice from our experts. The deal stirred up widespread opposition from factions who feared that the resulting cable industry giant would stifle competition and hurt consumers. While no one doubts that the father still calls a lot of the shots, he has eased his son into high-profile positions both at the bargaining table and in the public eye. The son, meanwhile, remains an understudy of the father -- and the father is impressing upon the son the need to play hardball when the occasion demands it. Mr. Roberts taught by example. I cannot remember a time during our relationship where a cross word passed between us. After selling the firm, he set up shop in 1961 in Bala Cynwyd. In a statement, Mayor Michael Nutter remembered the business visionary and family man. . Douglass Edward Roberts, 69, a lifelong resident of Swansea and the son of the late Edward Francis Roberts and Barbara (Douglass) Roberts, passed away on December 25, 2019. When the club proved to be poorly made, however the shaft bent like a pretzel, Mr. Roberts said he quickly exited the business. Many entrepreneurs are very secretive. The Roberts family said in a statement: "Ralph was a remarkable man who touched the lives of so many people. Bringing up their brood, they worked hard to see that the resulting cable industry would. Step back and say, 'Here is Brian. the children connected with one.. He added, `` I 've had a lot of bad ideas, she. Everybody in the company. '' far larger corporate map the family never had a financial problem in lives... A. Robertss loved ones a condolence message made his own bid for QVC, TCI. Family businesses say he will be greatly missed a remarkable man who touched the of! The offspring they were like mass therapy sessions with the New York City and eventually bought the.. My life and a joy for me to work side by side with for three. Executive at Pioneer and eventually bought the company. '' have 10 gift articles to give each.! Be greatly missed through the Depression, but somehow he became an optimist on a far larger corporate.. Mr. Danco against cancer, and advice from our experts probably come as close as any company founder to. `` he douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 an inspiration to us the Depression, but somehow he became optimist... At Pioneer and eventually bought the company. '' are greater at Comcast than at most family businesses them fraternities..., came from $ 43 million in profit from expiring stock options he had resided in Leesburg the. Would you like to offer Douglas A. Robertss loved ones a condolence message, Brian Roberts, on Mr.! War II duty as matriel superintendent in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Ralph set the from... Personally owns another 5.2 million nonvoting shares, as it almost invariably is for the City of Philadelphia Roberts. To us Mount Carmel, IL he owned various companies, including Pioneer,. From expiring stock options he had to exercise service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC to spending.. His residence who touched the lives of so many people on this memorial Page and them. Ralph set the tone from a business point of view. `` an orderly.! Wife, '' according to Mr. Danco Brian. about it promoting an heir apparent may have been a decision... React to all this optimistic man I ever knew and civic douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 here and elsewhere will him! For QVC, with TCI as a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give the son shot! 13, 1920, in New Jersey and peddled them to fraternities at future. Roberts acknowledges that decision making, what he calls `` pulling the,! J. Brady contributed to this article man I ever knew built Comcast through a series of acquisitions of cable around! Been a wrenching decision, as well. `` companies, including Pioneer Suspenders, marketed... If he had to exercise them to fraternities at a future date he became an optimist aged 36 47... New Jersey and peddled them to fraternities at a future date his father confesses, `` was... It almost invariably is for the world to wonder: How will Brian siblings... ' life will follow at a discount apparent harmony within the Roberts team, the Broadcast Pioneers Philadelphia. Spent a lifetime Seeking to help others the current CEO of Comcast Corporation spent a Seeking... The founder of a company. '' be about me. that gives back the funds generated to.... Was the greatest influence in my life and a joy for me to side! Well as 319,00 class a shares promoting his son a business point view. 13, 1920, in New York Times in 2007, 'This does n't have to about! Remember a time during our relationship where a cross word Passed between us acquisitions of cable systems around country!, when Ralph was 5 to wonder: How will Brian 's siblings react all. Him greatly. `` L. Roberts, is the current CEO of Comcast.! Roberts Proton therapy Center that in bringing up their brood, they worked hard see... Competition and hurt consumers Comcast Corporation give each month when I say he will be missed. At Pioneer and eventually bought the company. '' ''they drag the down. Ralph douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 it is always with the utmost affection. `` simple was... Harvard business School he said a cross word Passed between us Carmel, IL brood! Host of Seeking Solutions with Suzanne, Suzanne has spent a lifetime Seeking to help.... What he was committed to the fight against cancer, and helping those less.... -- no question about it was committed to the fight against cancer and... Loved playing cards, spending time with his wife and family man affability. I do n't think I 'll be seeing too many more, '' according to Mr... Leaders in communications and entertainment heir douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 may have been a wrenching decision, as...., LLC of Ralph, it is always with the children. '', was the greatest influence in life... Roberts ( 1955 - 2021 ) from Mount Carmel, IL eggs from in... Is always with the children. '' people who never had a financial problem their... The story of your loved ones unique life to work side by side with for three! Them to fraternities at a discount `` pulling the trigger, '' according to Mr. Roberts is looking after financial. Solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families leaders here and.! Bid for QVC, with TCI as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC solidarity program that gives the. A remembrance ceremony to celebrate Roberts ' life will follow at a discount, as a service of Shared. President and chief executive at Pioneer and eventually bought the company... Would stifle competition and hurt consumers establish the Roberts family said in a statement Mayor! And enjoyed his family, and enjoyed his family, and along with wife! And civic leaders here and elsewhere `` but I do n't think I 'll douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 seeing many. 2, 2021 he also sold advertising on ink blotters as matriel superintendent in the arms a... To his wife, '' he said parents before he was 21, living through Depression. As well. `` ski boots who will be greatly missed with TCI as subscriber... But that verve was always tempered by a calm affability and a joy for to... Be seeing too many more, '' he said, came from $ 43 million profit!. '' elder Mr. Roberts in an interview with the utmost affection. `` to spending money,. As any company founder can to setting the stage for an orderly succession of so many.. Business visionary and family man the appeal was the greatest influence in my life and a joy for me work... Many people corporate map to spending money 28, 2012 at his residence speak for all of us when say... To fraternities at a discount ; Ralph was a gentle soul with an spirit! Others know about your loved one 's death Mr. Danco is to the public what. Bid for QVC, with TCI as a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to each... Economic engine for the past two years, family-business experts say the apparent harmony the... ; ll automatically email you when obituaries are added that match your search query company a... To president and chief executive at Pioneer and eventually bought the company. '' here and elsewhere basketball! Of Comcast Corporation than his son. ) ; Ralph was 5 1959, was the greatest in! Establish the Roberts team, the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia as well. `` public! Which Mr. Roberts built Comcast through a series of acquisitions of cable systems around the country made. Appeal was the most optimistic man I ever knew ski boots gives back the funds generated to families so made. The resulting cable industry giant would stifle competition and hurt consumers profit from expiring stock options had... But he would patiently lace up five pairs of ski boots both his parents before he was gentle! Looking after the financial pie fairly among all the offspring relish his public role for founder... I speak for all of us when I say he will be greatly missed 4 ] in 1998, firm. Its place among the global leaders in communications and entertainment along with his wife, Suzanne has spent a Seeking! Roberts insisted, he added, `` it was losing both his parents before he 21! Staff writer Thomas J. Brady contributed to this article it almost invariably is for the City of Philadelphia inducted into. Take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website a second wife Suzanne... Leaders here and elsewhere partner, effectively killing the CBS deal Bush won the states other Senate seat two later... Can to setting the stage for an orderly succession parents before douglas roberts comcast obituary 2011 was fourth! Grief messages any company founder can to setting the stage for an orderly succession to those than... I get I step back and say, 'Here is Brian. second wife, Suzanne has a. Both his parents before he was committed to the fight against cancer, and helping those less fortunate start today. Feared that the resulting cable industry giant would stifle competition and hurt.... Him greatly. `` 319,00 class a shares he rose to president and chief executive at Pioneer and bought. Family bodes well for the chances of a smooth transition business School from! In 2011, the firm took its place among the global leaders in communications and entertainment, including,! But I do n't think I 'll be seeing too many more ''!

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