At the time of his death Scott had been a resident of Oneonta since 1992 when his father was appointed the pastor of the Elm Park United Methodist Church. Previously, he had lived in Sayre and Newton Pennsylvania and Vestal, New York. Scott was a good kid who made friends in each place that he lived and was loved by those communities.
Scott was born at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City. His birth was accompanied by the discovery of a congenital heart defect. Over his nearly twenty years he was in the care of several pediatric cardiologist, surgeons and nurses who did their best for him. His first surgery was when he was three and a half years old. Two more surgeries and another serious procedure were done between February of 1997 and January 1998. Scott seemed to be doing well until he died suddenly of complications on the 8th of July 1998.
In spite of his situation Scott was not sickly or despondent. He participated fully in life. While attending the Oneonta High School, Scott, a member of the drama club, participating in several musicals and dramas performed at the school. He also was a member of the German Club and went with the club to Germany for spring break in his junior year. It was in high school that Scott found himself led to study a long time love of his, art.
Scott was a person of faith who quietly lived that faith daily. He regularly took part in the life of the church and served as mentor one year for a student in the confirmation class. He took his turn with others in leading liturgy and participated in church school dramas. In his junior year he volunteered in the kitchen at the Elm Park Senior Center. In 1995 Scott was a member of the Conference Youth Council and was elected to be a youth delegate to the Annual Conference session by the Oneonta District.
Even though his second surgery was done in the second semester of his senior year, Scott graduated with his class in June of 1997 and was preparing to enter Hartwick College in September to study art. He managed a week of college classes before he had to go out on medical leave. His art teacher, Phil Young, noted that even though Scott knew he would not be staying Scott continued to prepare for class and participate fully. His leave was continued for another semester with another anticipated start in September of 1998.
In the fall of 1997, Scott's scratchboard drawing entitled "The Tiger" was published in Out of the Catskills and Just Beyond. This was an anthology of writing and art published by Bright Hill Press. Another drawing will appear in The Second Catskill Anthology scheduled to appear in the spring of 1999. The youth section of this volume will be dedicated to his memory.
Scott was very proud of his Scottish ancestry. He was also known to those who loved him as a great comic book fan; an avid Star Trekker; a Jedi Knight, and an explorer of the various possibilities of cardboard. His latest interest was tai chi.
It was with deep appreciation that Scott's family received the care of family, many people in the Conference, local churches and the community. This care included the ministry The Reverend Doctors Jack and Nancy Topolewski, "Uncle" and "Aunt"; The Rev. William D. Bouton; his closest friends: Brett Goertemoeller, Kenneth Sliviak and James O'Donnell; and Ernest Fishman and Bertha Rogers, President and Executive Director, respectively of Bright Hill Press.
An art award in memory of and thanksgiving for Scott Roberts has been established at the Oneonta High School. Beginning this year, the award will be given to the O.H.S. graduating senior, whose work in the visual/graphic arts is superior and most promising. The class member to receive this award will be determined,each year, by the Oneonta High School art teacher. This award was made possible, in part, because of gifts from Word Thursdays/ Bright Hill Press and the Wyoming Annual Conference. Since Scott was unable to use the two scholarships he received from the Conference, the Scholarship Committee decided to give those funds to the Memorial.
It is both unbelievable and terrible to be writing this memorial, but here it is. There are other things to say, and other things, which are unspeakable or unknowable. Never-the-less, we shared love with Scott, are proud of him and we will remember.