Anthony Kalani “Kal” Roberts, 65, of Wilhort, Ariz., died Monday, March 21, 2005 in Phoenix of prostate cancer.

He was born July 14, 1939 in Pearl Harbor.

Mr. Roberts was a photographer, writer and actor, winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1974 for spot news photography.

Roberts and his family lived in Idyllwild in the mid-1970s and early 1980s. He was part-owner of Home Sweet Home.

Roberts first worked as an actor in beach movies such as “Monster From the Surf.”

He later turned to photography. In 1973, he took seven pictures of a woman’s attempted murder in a Hollywood parking lot that ended with the assailant’s death.

The photographs, published in the Los Angeles Times and distributed around the world by the Associated Press, won him the 1974 Pulitzer for spot news photography and the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Award.

Roberts freelanced as a news photographer for many years. His photos were published in Time, Newsweek, People and others.
He photographed Nixon’s resignation, Patty Hearst’s surrender and Bruce Springsteen’s West Coast debut.
He was buried at 3 p.m. Friday, March 15 in Wapanucka, Okla.
Mr. Roberts is survived by his wife, Gloria; a daughter, Moana, of Truckee; a son, Jason, of Sausalito; and a granddaughter, Eden. He also is survived by a brother, Michael, of Skull Valley, Ariz. and a sister, Patty.

Similar Posts

  • Obituary: Len Gast

    Leonard William Gast, 87, made his transition Friday, Jan. 5, 2007. He enjoyed his boyhood in Detroit where he was born May 17, 1919. Mr. Gast served in the U.S. Navy aboard the carrier Bunker Hill in the Pacific area. He moved to Idyllwild from San Diego in 1983 and was an active partner in…

  • Life Tribute: Charles Harris Wix 1935-2019

    Charles Harris Wix passed away at his home in Idyllwild Sunday, May 12, 2019. He was born in Illinois and came to California at approximately age 1. He had three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Charlie’s passion was deep-sea fishing, which brought him to Alaska for many trips. Charlie and Kay were together 19…

  • Obituary: George Schultejann

    Obituary George Schultejann 1939-2015 George Schultejann, born Jan. 2, 1939, in Lombard, Illinios, peacefully transitioned into heaven on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Mesa, Arizona, with his family at his side. George lived in Idyllwild with the love of his life, Jeanette, since 1967. George grew up in Illinois and attended Michigan State. He and…

  • Obituary: David E. White

    1950-2014 Because God had need of another Master Carpenter, David quietly left this world Thursday, April 17, 2014, for a gentler, kinder place. Born July 11, 1950 in Akron, Ohio, he lived most of his life in Hemet. He attended Hemet High School where he played football and earned a reputation for being an ace…

  • Obituary: Micheal Dennis O’Sullivan

    Micheal Dennis O’Sullivan, 55, former resident of Idyllwild, died Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, in Bogalusa, La. Micheal succumbed to respiratory failure at the Louisiana State University, Bogalusa Medical Center. Micheal was born June 14, 1954 in Oceanside, Calif. He grew up in Newport Beach. He lived many years in Idyllwild, but moved to Bogalusa 10…

  • Obituary: Sueo Serisawa

    Sueo Serisawa, 94, of Idyllwild, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004 in San Diego of natural causes. He was born April 10, 1910 in Yokohama, Japan. Mr. Serisawa’s father, the artist Yoichi Serisawa, moved his family to Seattle in 1918 and a few years later to Long Beach. His father’s influence led him into a life…