Richard HERBERT Roberts M.B.E. was born on February 13, 1911, in Green Turtle Cay, Abaco to Richard Herbert Roberts (1865-1949) and Mary Robertina Curry (1869-1948).

His siblings included Harmon Bruce (1887), Norward Gottshall (1893), Millie Anatole (1894), Hattie M (1898), Doris Naomi (1904).

On August 9, 1932 at Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Herbert married Emma Janet Lowe (1916-1995). She is the daughter of Thomas Eldred Lowe and Louisa Janette ‘Nettie’ Russell.

Their children included Godfrey Herbert Eldred (1934-1987), Joan Valerie, Jennifer, James and Gregory Peter (1949-2024).

Herbert Roberts and Lambert Lowe were sent by the Bahamas government to Alabama to study agriculture.  In 1931, he became the principal of the All Age School in Green Turtle Cay, a calling that he would embrace for approximately 12 years.  

Son James Roberts recalls…

Dad started working in Nassau as a teacher. He taught at Eastern Senior, which I think was on Shirley Street, which is now a Post Office. After teaching, he was working with Joseph Garfunkel at Home Furniture Company on Bay Street down from John S George and before Kelly’s Hardware.

Joy Lowe Jossi reflects on her Uncle Herbert…

Uncle Herbert’s bearing and manner exemplified diligence.  He was a tall, slim man – black hair, dark brown eyes – a quick wit with humour – kind and generous.  His influence impacted his students like John Lowe, Tony Roberts, Peter Lowe, and Donald Saunders. All became leaders in Nassau’s industry. Their bond with him and esteem stayed strong. He taught them bookkeeping at night school.

He married my dad, Clarie Lowe’s sister, Emma. Quite the romance with the young school monitor sent about 1929  from GTC to Marsh Harbour to relieve the long-career teacher John GOODWIN Roberts for a sabbatical of travel to Portland, Oregon to visit his oldest son. He befriended Emma’s father, Eldred Lowe, built a boat for him, and asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage in 1932. They married in August 1932 at Marsh Harbour, moved to GTC just before the terrible hurricane in September.

An energetic, friendly, talented teacher who turned business man in Nassau to better provide for his growing family. Downtown Nassau furniture store owner, Joe Garfunkel, tapped the young teacher to come work with him. Many years later, Uncle Herbert became owner of Home Furniture. Every summer Uncle Herbert and Aunt Emma and family spent a month at Abaco between her Marsh Harbour and his Green Turtle Cay.

In Nassau, my Dad John Lowe (1925-2013) reconnected with his former principal Herbert Roberts, who became a lifelong friend and mentor.  Dad operated and managed one of Nassau’s thriving furniture companies owned by his first cousin Anthony Roberts. A few miles away, a friendly competitor Herbert Roberts owned and operated Home Furniture in Palmdale. Dad frequently visited Herbert’s office for advice and counsel.  They would reminisce about Green Turtle Cay days. Herbert often joked with Dad about joining forces with him.

Herbert passed away on March 26, 2003 (age 92) in Nassau, New Providence.

On the Friday before the storm struck, Herbert Roberts, Green Turtle Cay teacher, brought back from Marsh Harbour his new bride to the home he had built and furnished for her. Two days after the honeymoon home was a shambles. (Miami Times News, Tuesday, 13 September, 1932)