Rosalee A. Roberts, APR, Fellow PRSA, a longtime leader dedicated to the ethical practice of public relations, who helped mentor several generations of PR professionals, passed away on July 29. She was 81.
Roberts served as PRSA’s president (now chair) in 1992, leading the National Task Force on the Study of Ethics, which aimed to raise awareness of ethical standards among PRSA members and the profession, and to encourage greater involvement from senior-level practitioners.
As president, she also initiated the Visioning Committee, designed to recreate a strategic planning process to create a new direction and focus for PRSA into the next century.
Gerry Corbet, APR, Fellow PRSA, PRSA’s chair in 2012, remembers Roberts as “a fierce defender of the industry and PRSA who was not hesitant to call out behaviors counter to ethical practice. She was smart, thoughtful and went out of her way to encourage member activism.”
Roberts began her PR career in 1965 after graduating from Duchesne College in Omaha, Neb., with a Bachelor of Arts in English language/literature and drama. She worked as promotions and public affairs manager at KETV in Omaha before joining Bozell, where she eventually became a partner at Bozell Worldwide, Inc., managing local, regional and national clients, over a 20-year period.
In 1995, Roberts served as executive director at Children’s Hospital Foundation and vice president of community relations at Children’s Healthcare. She established her consultancy, Rosalee Roberts Public Relations, in 1998. Her nationwide clients represented a variety of industries, including high tech and health care.
Roberts was a proud Nebraskan native. She was an active, decades-long member of PRSA Nebraska, joining the Chapter in 1975 and serving as president in 1989. She developed lasting friendships with many PRSA Nebraska members, who speak of her fondly today.
“I worked with her frequently on stories as a young journalist,” said PRSA Nebraska President LeAnne Morman, APR. “She gave so much to our industry, and we’re all better for it.”
“Rosalee was always willing to lend her ear or give advice,” said past Chapter President Monique Farmer, APR. “I remember on several occasions reaching out to her with PR questions early in my career. She will be sincerely missed — not just by our Chapter, but by the entire industry.”
Roberts received numerous awards for her professional and civic activities in her home state, including being named Nebraska Citizen of Distinction by the governor, the Arthritis Foundation National Volunteer Award, and many PRSA citations.
Roberts leaves behind her daughter, Cathy Roberts Martin, and her grandchildren, Amber and Chris Martin.
The College of Fellows contributed to this In Memoriam.
