H. Michael Roberts

Harold Michael (Mike) Roberts was born in Pocatello, Idaho on April 29, 1947, to Harold Delbert and Glenna Boyes Roberts. As a youth, he was often caught reading the encyclopedia–an indication of his love of learning which continued throughout his life. A lifelong passion for music began at an early age when he started playing the viola. He was known for running to school every day carrying his viola. He graduated from Highland High School in Pocatello, having set multiple school and state records in Cross Country and Track. Mike was part of student government, the National Honor Society, and music.

He attended the University of Utah on a track scholarship and played viola in the orchestra, graduating with degrees in Anthropology, Education, and Library Science. Later, he earned a graduate degree in Instructional Media from Utah State.

It was while playing with the orchestra that he met the love of his life, Cordelia (DeDee) Sohn. They were married on June 13, 1968, in the Logan LDS Temple. He was drafted into the Army to serve during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany, assigned to work with data entry and computers as well as a camp newspaper photographer. His family joined him for a time which began their international living and sparked their love for worldwide travel and other cultures. It was there that he bought his first camera and he was rarely seen without one for the remainder of his life.

After teaching at both his alma mater elementary and high schools in Pocatello, Mike and DeDee moved in 1981, to teach at Taif Academy in Taif, Saudi Arabia. They explored many parts of the world during their summer vacations while coming back to the United States to visit family; places that he documented extensively through his photography. While in Saudi Arabia, he coached his first volleyball team which led to another lifelong passion. In 1986, the family moved to Sheridan, Wyoming. Mike taught and coached at Big Horn High School until his retirement in 2008, when he then took multiple photography classes at Northwest College, and taught photography at Sheridan College.

Mike and DeDee loved living in Sheridan where they were influential in the lives of many children both professionally (as DeDee was also a teacher) and at church as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served faithfully in many callings. Throughout his life, he led choirs and congregational singing at church, something that all of his family remembers fondly. Mike and DeDee loved their monthly trips to the Billings, Montana Temple; he was passionate about family history and genealogy.

Two of his loves were combined as he spent 15 years as the official photographer of the Simplot Games, an indoor high school track meet held in Pocatello, ID, where he photographed future Olympians and world record holders. He was highly involved in the volleyball, track and field, and photography scenes throughout Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah. The outpouring of love from his friends and associates in these various communities since his death has been a testament to his talent, kindness, and influence.

Mike and DeDee moved to West Jordan, Utah in 2021 to be closer to family. They enjoyed daily trips to the recreation center together and loved that their grandchildren came regularly for cooking, play, learning, and snuggling. He traveled to Oregon and Nevada often to visit his children and their families. It brought him great joy to watch his grandchildren compete in swimming, soccer, track, cross-country, volleyball, and wrestling, and perform in choirs, orchestras, dance, and theatre productions. The many pictures he took of these events and the legacies he captured are cherished by his beloved family.

Mike died peacefully of natural causes in Casper, WY while attending The Wyoming Professional Photography Association convention. His wife survives him; daughter Melanie (Alan Weinand), son Craig (Jessica Moyes), daughter Shannon (Michael Wright) , daughter Megan (Preston Dahlgren), 19 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and four sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and a granddaughter. He was kind
He was handsome
He had a great beard
His eyes matched what he was wearing
He was a good coach (volleyball, track, photography)
He loved watching sports (volleyball, track, and field, soccer, gymnastics)
He was a great musician and appreciated music
He was a patient teacher
He was a lifelong learner
He was loved

All are invited to a Celebration of Life at 5pm Friday, April 21st at 1465 W Bristol Ridge Rd, West Jordan, UT. It will be followed by “Breakfast for Dinner” to celebrate his favorite meal of the day. Please let us know if you plan to attend by completing the RSVP link below.

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