Dr. Lois Roberts' mother was a nurse and her father a pharmacist. She knew from a very early age that she would become a doctor. She attended the Women's Medical School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after earning undergraduate and graduate degrees at UC, Berkeley.

The new doctor took off for Africa right after graduating medical school with a friend who had been raised in that area. She served in Angola and Ethiopia where she treated up to 200 patients of the human variety and sometimes treated their animals at the end of the day. She met people like Emperor Haile Selassie ("short little fellah") and Mother Theresa. She hunted for her own food, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and performed medical procedures by propping up a textbook and reading along as she operated.

She was expelled from that part of the world because the Communists took over, and they did not like Americans. After returning to the States, she joined the Army Reserve and rose to the rank of Colonel, of which she was very proud. She became the team doctor for the Oakland Raiders' professional football team. Her devotion as a Raiders' fan became legendary and was evidenced by her silver and black Land Rover with the team emblem on the door.

She came to Surprise Valley because it was remote, had hunting and fishing nearby, and it reminded her of Africa. Her exceptional mind coupled with an enthusiasm for life led her in all directions from bird watching, horticulture, white water rafting, hiking, horseback riding, and anything that might seem interesting. She attended brandings, hog killings, and went to school athletic events, plays, Christmas programs, and graduations. She sang at church and even filled in for the minister in his absence, and she did it all with her infectious smile that radiated in all directions.

She delivered nearly 4,000 babies during her career and saved many lives. In her later years, she traveled the halls of the clinic and the hospital in her motorized chair, requiring patients and staff to be "fleet of foot" to avoid collision with the good Doctor. "Funny, I've never thought about retiring - I'll probably just go on till I drop." Those were her words, and they were prophetic. She was treating patients the day she died and was still inquiring about them moments before her passing.

Dr. Roberts' devotion to her profession, the Hospital, and the Surprise Valley Community sustained us for many years. It is now up to the Dr. Roberts' Fund to continue that legacy.