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: Ken Meyer

    On April 20, Ken Meyer, known locally as “Munchken,” died after a long illness. He was a long-time resident of Idyllwild, working for many residents, doing repairs, maintenance, computer programming and custom construction projects. Ken spent several years working for the Idyllwild HELP Center repairing and maintaining the donations building and property. Last year, Munchken…

  • Obituary: Peter Wilson Patton

    Born Feb. 10, 1932, Peter Wilson Patton grew up in San Marino. He lived in Idyllwild for the last 13 years and died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001, in his condominium in Palm Desert. Mr. Patton was a pilot in the U.S. Navy, serving as a lieutenant commander. For several years, he was a soaring instructor…

  • Obituary: Rosalie John

    Rosalie John, a caring mother and grandmother, who also loved Idyllwild and blue skies, died in Idyllwild at 5:06 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, 1998, of a heart attack. Born Dec. 13, 1910, in Alabama, she would have been 88-years-old this Sunday. Mrs. John lived for 51 years in El Monte before moving to Idyllwild six…

  • Obituary: Margaret Adams

    Long-time former Idyllwild resident Margaret Adams, 84, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 of hip fracture complications. She was born Feb. 2, 1921 in Pasadena. Mrs. Adams was a life-long animal lover who was a member of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Memorial services are pending. She is survived by five…