Dr. Bharat (Bertram W. Roberts, Jr.)

Eulogy by Dada Vishvarupananda

   Whenever I met Dr Bharat he would always speak of Baba, sharing stories, asking questions, and keeping Baba alive in his heart. Bharat even had the blessing of visiting India and meeting Baba in person.

   On one occasion, during a gathering where questions were not usually entertained, Bharat nevertheless raised a concern. He spoke candidly about the difficulty of not having enough money to carry out all the service work expected of us. The room fell silent in anticipation, for his question seemed out of place. Yet Baba, with characteristic grace, replied with words to the effect that if one begins the work, the money will follow. He reminded us that the true spirit should be to serve society selflessly so that our activities become an inspiration for others to give.

   On another occasion, Bharat shared how Baba spoke about marriage. At a time when Bharat was facing challenges, Baba explained that life, like a planet’s orbit, moves in cycles. Sometimes life is in harmony, at other times it is out of balance, but it always returns to a place of stability through patience and wise actions. This wisdom gave Bharat comfort, and he held such teachings close to his heart throughout his life.

   Bharat loved Ananda Marga as Baba’s living expression. He had great affection for the acharyas, visiting and supporting their projects with genuine warmth and generosity. In this way, he exemplified someone who stood firmly with one foot in the world - successful as a physician - while also dedicating his time, energy, and resources to the spiritual path and to service.

   On a personal note, I will always remain indebted to him. When I first arrived in the US in 1985 with a mission, but no money, Bharat welcomed me. He set me up in San Antonio, offering me a place to stay, a car to drive, and even an allowance of $500 a month. For me, it was a dream come true: through his generosity, I was able to strengthen AMURT in the United States. Bharat’s support was crucial for launching the “Give Your Heart to Africa” campaign, which established projects in Ghana and Burkina Faso.

   Bharat invested himself deeply in these efforts, both financially and personally. He regularly visited the projects, offering not only his medical expertise but also his wise counsel. Over time, he felt pride as the work in Ghana and Burkina Faso grew in scope and impact.

The water project in Ghana, for example, was later handed over to the government and is still operating nearly forty years later. Though the northern region of Burkina Faso has since become unsafe due to unrest, the master unit near Ouagadougou - which Bharat also supported - remains active and continues to grow. His legacy still shines in these places.

   Bharat loved Africa. He visited not only Ghana and Burkina Faso, but also Nigeria, where he supported health projects as a physician. He did not shy away from danger or discomfort. Though he lived a comfortable life in the United States, he adapted with ease to the simplest of conditions abroad. His humble willingness to serve enabled him to accomplish much, experience deeply, and give generously.

   Dr. Bharat’s example will remain an inspiration for us all, reminding us to live with love for both the spiritual and the worldly paths of life.

 Bertram Wolf Roberts JR, MD, MPH, DrPH, MSHCA, DTM&H

   Dr. Bertram W. Roberts Jr. lived an extraordinary life of service, dedicated to the

well-being of others. A true healer in times of war and peace, his story inspires many,

and his contributions to medicine and public health are truly remarkable.

   Born in New York City to Edna Levinson and Bertram W. Roberts Sr., and raised in Little

Rock, AR, Bert faced challenges early on. Stricken with polio at age 5 and paralyzed

until age 7, he later witnessed his father’s death from a heart attack at age 12. It was at

this pivotal moment that he decided to become a doctor. With the unwavering support of

his mother, Edna, Bert excelled in his studies, attending Culver Military Academy and

Lake Forest Academy during the Little Rock Nine school closures.

   He completed his undergraduate studies at Tulane University, where he was a member

of the ZBT fraternity, and went on to attend medical school in Little Rock, AR. His

medical training included an Internal Medicine residency at the Jewish Hospital in St.

Louis, MO, and Emory University in Atlanta, GA, followed by a Nephrology residency at

UCSD in San Diego, CA, and Ohio State University.

   Following his medical training, Dr. Roberts was drafted during the Vietnam War under

the Berry Plan, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in the USAF as a

physician.

   His journey took him to U-TAPAO Air Force Base in Thailand, where he served as Chief

of MedCap and Internal Medicine. It was here that an Ananda Marga monk initiated him and gave him the name Dr. Bharat, meaning “one who expands his own consciousness and helps expand the

consciousness of others.” This spiritual encounter led him to become a vegetarian,

practice daily meditation, and begin his lifelong commitment to relief work. He reenlisted

in the USAF, ultimately achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel.

   For more than 40 years, Dr. Roberts practiced nephrology in San Antonio, TX, where he

founded several non-profit organizations, including STOP DIABETES, to educate and

prevent dialysis in underserved communities. He established the first peritoneal dialysis

clinic in San Antonio and served as Chief of Staff at Southwest General Hospital,

among other leadership roles. His dedication to service extended to teaching, as he

volunteered for 20 years at the VA, educating nephrology fellows. He was an Associate

Professor of Medicine and Nephrology at UTHSCSA and an Adjunct Associate

Professor at the School of Public Health. His scholarly contributions included numerous

articles in medical journals and a book titled Yoga and Health.

   Dr. Roberts’ passion for international relief work took him across the globe. In West

Africa, he initiated programs in Burkina Faso and Ghana to combat child mortality,

provide clean water, and support former Trokosi adolescent slaves. His efforts in

Southeast Asia included establishing a medical clinic in the slums of Bangkok and

providing care for political refugees on the Burma-Thailand border. He also worked in

refugee camps in Cambodia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. His DrPH dissertation

focused on studying the toxic effects of wastewater on neural tube defects along the

200-mile Mexico Rio Grande border.

   A fearless advocate for the underserved, he believed in the right to clean water,

healthcare, education, and food for all. Dr. Roberts’ relief work extended to Nigeria

(Ebola), the U.S. during Hurricane Katrina, and multiple countries affected by natural

disasters, including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Haiti, Peru, and India. He was a

Nephrology faculty member at Vellore Christian Medical College in India and at the

UCSD free clinic in San Diego ,CA. Most recently he was providing food for Ukrainian

refugees in San Diego, CA.

   His commitment to Tikkun Olam—repairing the world—guided his life’s work.

Beyond his medical and humanitarian efforts, Dr. Roberts was a singer-songwriter with

40 original songs, a blues guitarist and harmonica player, a painter, and a

second-degree black belt in Kuk Sool Won martial arts. He was an avid golfer and

tennis player, known for his great smile, sharp sense of humor, and clever wordplay,

affectionately called “Bertisms” by those who knew him. Bert was known for his

infectious smile and his ability to lift spirits with a simple joke. He had a unique way of

making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued.

   Dr. Roberts was preceded in death by his parents, Edna Levinson and Bertram Roberts

Sr., and his sons Jeffery and Paul Roberts. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Laura

Perches, his children Jason (Daniela), Jeremy, and Georgina (Adam), daughters-in-law

Jennifer, Monica, and Kelly, his cousin William Levinson, his niece Jennifer Ann

Levinson, and his grandchildren, William, Andrew, Max, Chloe, Sophia, Jackson,

Tristen, Emilio, and Leo.

   Dr. Bertram W. Roberts Jr. was a man of rare compassion and boundless energy, who

spent his life striving to make the world a better place. His legacy of love, service, and

resilience will continue to inspire all who knew him, and his spirit will live on in the

countless lives he touched.

   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team at

2502 Lindley Terrace, Rockville, MD 20850.