Jack Roberts was recently recognized for his 50 years of active member service on the Kenbridge Fire Department.

Jack joined the Kenbridge Fire Department on July 13, 1965, and has been a very active and progressive member of the department since that time. He has taken over 1,500 hours training and served designations for a number of years as assistant chief. He obtained his firefighter I, II and III at an early age.

Anytime he was assigned to a committee he attended the committee meetings and he did his part with the committee, often serving as Chairman.

“Not many fire chiefs around the country have the honor that I have … to recognize one of our own who has actively and strongly contributed in a countless number of ways to the Kenbridge Fire Department for over 50 years,” said KFD Chief Richard W. Harris.

“We have members of our department that have been members for 50 years, but for the last 25 years, they have been inactive, however they are still members. Many times we ask volunteers why they missed the last several work sessions or last several meetings and the universal answer is ‘because I have been busy.’ Well, Roberts was always busy and always had an important job but he always found the time to take care of his duties for the Kenbridge Fire Department.”

In addition to the fire department, Roberts was a charter member and former captain of the Kenbridge Emergency Squad. He was also very active in the Southside Virginia Volunteer Firefighters Association where he served as president. He was active in the Kenbridge Jaycees and coached little league sports for many years, active in the Kenbridge Baptist Church and on many committees throughout his time there.

He was also active in and served as former president of the Virginia Association of General Contractors, and served on the board at Virginia National Bank. He also served on the Kenbridge Town Council for many years and was chairman of the finance committee as well as others.

Roberts and his wife Charlotte reside in Kenbridge and have three sons.