Kent L. Roberts, 83, Girard property manager

Kent L. Roberts, 83, formerly of Springfield, Delaware County, a retired property manager, died Sunday of complications from pneumonia at Easton Hospital in Easton, Pa.

For 22 years, Mr. Roberts was general manager of the Girard Trust in Philadelphia. The estate was established in the 19th century from the bequest of financier Stephen Girard and includes several Center City properties. Mr. Roberts served on the board of the Market Street East Improvement Association, and in 1979 he was president of the Chestnut Street Association, which honored him as its Man of the Year two years later. He retired in 1990.

Mr. Roberts graduated from Lower Merion High School. He became an Eagle Scout and was an assistant Boy Scout leader in Lower Merion as a young man. He was later president and an officer of the former Philadelphia Area Council of the scouts. He received a Silver Beaver Award for his service to scouting.

During World War II, he served in the Army. He was wounded by shrapnel in France and received a Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster.

After the war, he earned a bachelor's degree in commerce and engineering from Drexel University and later earned a master's degree in business administration from Drexel.

Mr. Roberts married Helen Cuthbertson Roberts in 1950. They were high school classmates, said their daughter, Diane Hodgkiss, but didn't date until meeting at Overbrook Presbyterian Church. Mr. Roberts was an usher, deacon and elder at the church and later held the same positions at First Presbyterian Church of Springfield. He was active with the Philadelphia Presbytery and was former chairman of the board of the Presbyterian Home in Philadelphia.

Since the early 1990s, he and his wife lived in Pocono Pines, where they had vacationed for many years. A former sailing enthusiast, he continued to be active with the Lake Naomi Duster Association. He enjoyed golf and bowled weekly with his wife.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by daughter Carolyn Roberts and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. today at Pocono Lake United Methodist Church, Route 940, Pocono Lake, Pa.