DAILY NEWS PEOPLE : BILL ROBERTS.Byline: - Kathleen Cole In July, Bill Roberts will be flown to Nashville to receive the National Association of Federal Credit Unions' Volunteer of the Year award. There are 12,000 member credit unions, and all of them may submit nominations for this national award. ``I was really kind of shocked and pleasantly surprised,'' says Roberts. In addition to his volunteer work, Roberts has co-authored a book and completed a number of marathons, including the 1987 L.A. Marathon and the 1996 Equinox equinox (ē`kwĭnŏks), either of two points on the celestial sphere where the ecliptic and the celestial equator intersect. The vernal equinox, also known as "the first point of Aries," is the point at which the sun appears to cross the Marathon in Fairbanks, Alaska. He spent a year at the University of Singapore teaching economics, and while there got involved with the Painting Society of Singapore through his interest in Chinese brush painting. ``I'm having a great time. Life is wonderful. It's really nice to be doing what you want to be doing,'' says Roberts. AGE: 50 RESIDENCE: Tarzana BORN AND RAISED IN: Born in Richfield, Minn. Roberts moved to Southern California in 1969 to attend graduate school at the Univerity of California, San Diego. He has lived or worked in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. since 1973. OCCUPATION: Roberts has taught at CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge since 1973, and is an associate dean at its College of Business Administration and Economics. MARITAL STATUS marital status, n the legal standing of a person in regard to his or her marriage state. : Married to Jeanne for eight years. CHILDREN: He has a son, 21-year-old Alex, and is expecting a baby girl in August. VOLUNTEERISM: In 1980 Roberts became a member of the Supervisory Committee of the Matador matador In bullfighting, the principal performer, who works the capes and attempts to dispatch the bull with a sword thrust between the shoulder blades. Most of the techniques used by modern matadors were established in the 1910s by Juan Belmonte (b. 1894–d. Federal Credit Union (MFCU MFCU Medicaid Fraud Control Unit MFCU Marine Federal Credit Union ). In 1983, he joined the Board of Directors, and in 1991 he became the Treasurer for the Board at MFCU. Right after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, he was volunteering 25 to 30 hours per week. Now the hours have leveled off to approximately four per week, but his dedication has not diminished. ``There's a team effort here, a good supportive group,'' says Roberts. ``We tend to feed off of each other to get things done.''. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?: ``One day in 1980, I received a call from a colleague asking if I might be interested in volunteering my services in the financial area for the Credit Union. I had no idea at the time that this serendipitous ser·en·dip·i·ty n. pl. ser·en·dip·i·ties 1. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. 2. The fact or occurrence of such discoveries. 3. An instance of making such a discovery. conversation would lead to 18 years of stimulating and rewarding service.'' WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER?: ``I was raised in a family that valued community involvement. I have vivid memories of my father finding time - no matter how busy he was - to use his expertise in helping local organizations.'' BIGGEST DILEMMA: ``A lack of time to do all the things I want to do.'' FAVORITE DAILY TASK: ``Unwinding at home at the end of the day.'' BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: ``Losing my father to lung cancer lung cancer, cancer that originates in the tissues of the lungs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States in both men and women. Like other cancers, lung cancer occurs after repeated insults to the genetic material of the cell. when I was 14.'' GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: ``I consider my family life to be my greatest accomplishment.'' GOALS FOR THE FUTURE: ``To try to stay healthy and enjoy at least another 50 years.'' WHO RELIES ON YOU THE MOST AND WHO YOU RELY ON: ``My wife and I rely on each other. We're always there for each other.'' ROLE MODELS: ``My mother, who undertook unexpected single parenthood with grace and strength.'' HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?: ``It's the challenge of overcoming obstacles to achieve your life goals, which to me is having a strong and happy home life, a rewarding career and good friends. It also includes making a difference in the community, which is one of the reasons I volunteer. I've heard that success is getting what you want; happiness is liking what you get. I'm grateful to have both.'' FAVORITE VALLEY HANGOUTS: ``Brent's Deli in Northridge and DuPar's for hot fudge sundaes. Also, the Pacific Asia Museum The Pacific Asia Museum is an Asian art museum located at 46 N. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, California, United States. The museum was founded by Grace Nicholson who was a dealer in Native American and, later, Asian art and antiques. . But my favorite hangout is home.'' FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: Painting, visiting museums, going to bluegrass bluegrass, any species of the large and widely distributed genus Poa, chiefly range and pasture grasses of economic importance in temperate and cool regions. In general, bluegrasses are perennial with fine-leaved foliage that is bluish green in some species. concerts, doing road trips throughout California and helping students succeed in their education. HOBBIES: Chinese brush painting, running, magic and studying Mandarin Chinese. WHAT WOULD BE A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU?: ``Start out with a run in Caballero cab·al·le·ro n. pl. cab·al·le·ros 1. A Spanish gentleman; a cavalier. 2. A man who is skilled in riding and managing horses; a horseman. Canyon in the Tarzana hills, return and have a leisurely breakfast with my wife, do some Chinese brush painting and, in the evening, head over to the Magic Castle.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Bill Roberts Myung J. Chun/Daily News |
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