United Banks Service Company

Obituary: Neil Roberts

From The Denver Post:

A COLORADO LIFE
Banking exec helped many women along

Neil F. Roberts, who died Dec. 11, 2005 at age 91, began his long Colorado banking career as a teller and ended it as chairman of the board and chief executive of United Banks of Colorado, now Wells Fargo.

The son of Harold Roberts, the Denver Water Board attorney who secured Denver's rights to the Blue River and the namesake of the Roberts Tunnel, Neil Roberts grew up in Denver.

Disappointed with his lackluster performance in Denver schools, his parents sent him to Wyoming's Laramie School. There, Roberts thrived under the tutelage of University of Wyoming professors and went on to Dartmouth College, where Roberts earned an undergraduate degree. He later graduated from Harvard University's business school.

Upon returning to Denver in 1937, Roberts assumed a position as teller at Denver U.S. National Bank, the institution that became United Banks of Colorado, and then Norwest, and now Wells Fargo. He remained there for the rest of his professional life, learning each tier of the business as he steadily rose through the management ranks. He became bank president in 1962.

Inquisitive and thoughtful, Roberts used his words sparingly. His avocation, landscape and still-life photography, inclined him toward observation first and action second.

His judiciousness proved an asset in the banking business. Under his leadership, United Bank doubled its assets, growing from $1 billion to $2 billion between 1972 and 1978, a marked accomplishment during a major economic recession, observed Wells Fargo regional president and CEO Tom Honig.

In part because his experience at Dartmouth College, then coed, taught him to see women as intellectual equals, Roberts made a point of serving as a mentor to promising women.

He established a scholarship in his wife's name to her college alma mater "because, he told me, my education enlarged his life, and he wanted to thank the college," said his wife, Lee.

He groomed and cultivated the financial careers of many women who became financial leaders, including Stapleton Foundation chief executive Beverly Haddon, who became the bank's first female executive.

"After I was promoted, Neil brought me in for a long discussion about how things were done in the inner circle," Haddon recollected. "He finished talking about office protocol and reporting to the board of directors, which took about 45 minutes. Then he said, without a smile, 'Remember this advice: Don't do it our way. Do it your way. That's why we promoted you, and we are interested in fresh air."'

Roberts established a solid reputation as a philanthropist, serving as president, fund-drive chairman, chairman of the board and trustee of the Mile High United Way Fund. He also was active raising funds for the Children's Hospital, the Lions Club, Cherry Hills Country Club and Mile High Historic Park, and served on the vestry of St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, where private memorial services will be held.

Survivors include his wife, Lee Roberts of Englewood; son Stephen Roberts of West Hartford, Conn.; daughter Susan Persson of Boulder; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

From The Rocky Mountain News:

ROBERTS, NEIL F.
Graduate Dartmouth College and Harvard MBA. Except for three years of South Pacific Navy duty during World War II, Roberts spent 42 years at the same banking institution, starting as a teller at United States National Bank, and ending as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Banks of Colorado (now Wells Fargo). He was a member of Reserve City Bankers, President of Colorado Bankers Association, an organizer of Mountain States Bank Card Association, Chairman of MasterCard International. Active in the community, he was Chairman of Mile High United Way and Children's Hospital Fund Raising Campaign and recipient of their annual award; President of Colorado Public Expenditure Council; President of Lions Club; President of Cherry Hills Country Club; first President of Four Mile Historic Park, Member of St. John's Episcopal Cathedral where he served on the Vestry. An excellent photographer, he produced slide shows of his many world trips and the Colorado Mountains he loved.

Survived by wife Lee; son Stephen Roberts, his wife, Nancy; daughter Susan Persson, her husband, Jan; grandsons David (Krista), John and Andrew Roberts, and Erik Persson (Jessica); and granddaughter Cynthia Persson, great grandson Nicolas Persson. Memorials may be made to Boys and Girls Club of Denver, 2017W. 9th. Ave., Denver CO 80204, or Four Mile Historic Park, 715 8. Forest, Denver CO 80206. Private services at St. John's Cathedral.

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