Griffith George Roberts

1946-2025

In loving memory

Griff grew up in rural Wisconsin, where he and his family were active in many outdoor sports; hiking, camping, canoeing, boating, and fishing was the start of a lifelong appreciation of the natural world. The family moved to California where Griff graduated from San Luis Obispo, High School in 1964. That summer he and a friend drove to Bishop and explored the area. One hike from South Lake to Bishop Pass with the incredible peaks and lakes had an overwhelming impact. He thought how wonderful it would be to have that world at his doorstep. That wish came true 11 years later when he moved to Bishop in 1975 and never left.

After college and service as a US Army Medic, Griff roamed through Europe, western mountain ranges, and rivers. Everything he owned was in a VW camper with a canoe on top. He returned to school and received a degree in Radiologic Technology and got his dream job as an X-ray and CT tech at Northern Inyo Hospital in Bishop, where he worked for 33 years. Griff took pride in his work, in the images he produced, and took great care with the patients he served. He once said that anyone seeing an X-ray tech was usually hurt or sick and needed that care. He felt he played a part in the team of great healthcare providers at NIH.

Griff was lucky to have three wonderful women with him during this time; Heather Welsh, Julie Wofford, and Kathleen Kelly. Each relationship lasted about 10 years. He joked that this was his “expiration date” with women. Lucker still, Heather returned to him in his 70’s with her good heart and cheerful nature.

Griff’s schedule of one week on, one week off allowed him to spend many days pursuing his passion of hiking and climbing in the Sierras, and running rivers in the West. Carrying heavy packs up and down endless miles on rough off-trail terrain made him happy. He waves goodbye to all his friends, and goodbye to the best life he could have imagined. If there is an afterlife, he’s on a trail there now, on his way to a favorite camp, with a huge pack on his back, and a big stupid grin on his face. Just give him a wave as he passes by.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date.