Let the Light Shine on the Bruce Roberts Family

My name is Bett Padgett, a professional musician who came to know Bruce Roberts through a song I wrote about a lighthouse in North Carolina in 1997. I have been friends with Bruce and his family since then. Bruce was a renowned photojournalist and prominent 20th century photographer whose pictures captured not only the expression of his subjects, but history and time. Bruce’s photos were featured in National Geographic Magazine, Time, Life, Sports Illustrated, Southern Living and Our State Magazine – to name a few. He was the author and co-author of many books. His favorite topic was lighthouses. He and his wife Cheryl co-founded the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society in 1994 and have received numerous awards for their work in preservation, research and writing about our esteemed lights, especially those of North Carolina. They both have dedicated most of their thirty years together for this purpose. You can read much more about Bruce in this wonderfully written memorial by his friend Ray Jones: https://www.outerbankslighthousesociety.org/in_memoriam-bruce.html

Bruce was a passionate man who fought for many good causes, namely lighthouses. His infectious enthusiasm led a movement to relocate the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse as well as renovations of the same lighthouse, and Bodie Island Lighthouse (both in North Carolina) His love of his craft, of history and lighthouses have enamored people all over the world. Bruce got excited when talking about the things he cared about. He reminded me of a kid at his own birthday party. It’s no doubt that because of this he was able to steer many of his readers to love the world as he saw it through his pictures.

Bruce was a fighter of many good causes, and a planner to help in these fights, but Bruce did not plan well for his own future, or the future of his family. Maybe Bruce had a plan to live and fight forever for the things he was enthusiastic about, but he took his last breath on June 16, 2023, surrounded by love. When families are arduously caring for both physical and medical needs for their loved ones, time slips away as focus is more on caring than what happens after their loved one is gone. Bruce had great plans for lighthouses, his books, and photographs, but not for his own end of life and arrangements. This is why I am creating this campaign: to help his wonderful family, Cheryl and Courtney.

If you knew Bruce, or know Cheryl, you know that they are the most caring people. The family needs help and if you have the means to help during this exceedingly difficult period, please share some love with the Roberts family. Our goal is to raise $8,000 to cover expenses for Bruce’s end of life. There are no perks for your gift, only knowing that you will help bring some peace to the family. Any amount is appreciated, even as little as $5 will help. It can be an anonymous gift if you wish. Please, let’s let the light shine on Bruce and the ones who cared for him most.