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: Kenneth E. Gooding

    Kenneth Gooding, 82, of La Quinta died Friday, April 22, 2005 in Rancho Mirage of diabetes complications. Mr. Gooding was born to Charles and Nellie (Baber) Gooding on Dec. 7, 1922 in Cushing, Okla. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force, flying on 35 missions during World War II. On his first leave, he…

  • Life Tribute Dixie Janet Harlowe 1932-2022

    The sun rose and the world welcomed Dixie Janet Harlowe Jan. 25, 1932. And that day the world became a little brighter. Most recently, Janet resided in the cozy community of Idyllwild with her husband, Henry Herbert Harlowe. During the morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, Dixie Janet took her last breath in life’s…

  • Obituary: Frederick Paul Young

    Frederick Paul Young, 80, of Idyllwild, died at his home Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, following complications from cancer. Paul was born in Butte, Mont., to Frederick Young and Laura Ackerman Young on June 2, 1927. He spent his childhood years in the small, gold-mining town of Sumpter in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon where…

  • Obituary: Virginia Garner

    Virginia Garner, a longtime Idyllwild resident, pioneering documentary photographer, teacher and administrator at Idyllwild Arts, died on Friday in Hemet. She was 93 years old. Born on March 18, 1915 in Brooklyn, N.Y., “Jinny,” as she was known by everyone, grew up to live a life of adventure that most only dream about. Following her…

  • Obituary: Zelvin Lowman

    Zelvin “Zel” Don Lowman, 84, passed away during the night of Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006. Mr. Lowman was a full-time Idyllwild resident from May 2002 to July 2004. He was born in McCune, Kan., on Sept. 8, 1921. He attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., and went off to midshipman’s school during World War…

  • Life Tribute: Terry Lyons 1947-2019

    Terry Lyons, former general manager of the Idyllwild Water District, passed away Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, after a long battle against agent-orange induced Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth; his daughter Candace; and sons Richard and Thomas. Terry lived and walked by faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. In this, we are…