Research of ALS in memory of Wes Roberts

I grew up playing hockey with Wes’ oldest son Daniel. From the time the Roberts family moved to Anchorage, AK in 2003 until Wes’ passing in the summer of 2022, Wes’ welcomed us into his family and home. From driving us to early morning skill sessions to countless road trips across the country, he was there supporting us in we wanted to do.

Even after I moved out of Alaska and his family did as well, the Roberts crew always ended up being able to cross paths with me and my wife Lindsey in ways that we were fortunate enough to spend a lot of extra time with them, especially before his diagnosis throughout his battle with ALS. Wes is from Devils Lake, ND where he owned a bar and met his future wife, Stephanie. Like he promised his mom, when he met the one he will get out of the bar business and became a finacial advisor. Soon Daniel was born in Fargo, ND. My wife was also born Fargo, so when Wes came to Fargo to visit family while I was there, he immediately pushed past me to introduce himself to her with a warm Wes Roberts hug.

Daniel and I, ironically, spent our first two years out of college in San Diego where we were able to see each other once and awhile to ground ourselves while sharing stories. In 2018, when Daniel was moving back to Minnesota, Wes and his sister AM drove to meet him in Colorado, so they stayed the night with us in Omaha on their way down. This is when we first learned of Wes’ diagnosis with ALS and that it was targeting his throat and vocal cords.

After all this time and a new diagnosis he was going to battle, Lindsey and I were able to see Wes and his family every summer until his passing. We were so fortunate enough our schedule allowed us to be in Minnesota visiting my sister-in-law and we would make sure we saw the Roberts crew before we left town. Every time we walked in that house, Wes was grinning ear to ear and nothing could deter his spirits.

What he still enjoyed the most, was hockey. He would time his naps so he could have enough energy to stay up to watch the Minnesota Wild games. That is why I want to donate in his remembrance while bringing awareness, hopefully some joy, to others who have this awful disease through the game he loved so much.