Arch Roberts Obituary (2009)

ROBERTS, Arch Waters Gainesville financier, passed away peacefully in Gainesville, FL on Dec. 11, 2009. Arch was born in St. Petersburg in 1934, where 22 years later he began his lifelong career in municipal finance at the national securities firm Goodbody & Co. He started his own eponymous firm in 1967, which grew into the second-largest municipal bond firm in Florida, with seven offices in the state and outposts in Atlanta and New York City. Associates remember him not only as an astute and tireless businessman, but as a gentleman and a loyal friend. In the bond business, his competitive advantage was his ability to interpret local laws, and his creativity in designing new financial instruments to meet rising opportunities. It was this agility that often trumped larger competitors in such high-profile deals as the Tropicana Field financing in St. Petersburg, where Arch delivered the closing check to Pinellas County only 25 minutes before the New Year's deadline. Arch's deep understanding of the needs of local communities provided a vital service for much of Florida, and for Gainesville and St. Petersburg in particular. In Gainesville, he and his firm were involved in financings for the School Board, the City of Gainesville, Gainesville Regional Utilities, Alachua County, the Library District, and the City of Alachua, including their first financing in the early 1970s. He was a good golfer, and was a New York Times crossword puzzle tournament winner in Gainesville who went to New York City to compete at the national level (where he placed respectably). Arch knew the memorable lines in most every great film and every bit-part actor and actress. Little known for his musical ability outside his family and close friends, he had perfect pitch. He also became a capable cattle-rancher in his spare time, despite his city roots, much to the amusement of his family and friends from the moment he first ventured out into the cow pasture in his boots. He was a diehard Gators supporter and booster; and he was his children's biggest fan, reaping joy from each small victory along whatever path they chose. He was a long-time member of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, and was chairman of the Public Securities Association. He never really retired from any of these pursuits. Mr. Roberts attended the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, and received his B.S. in Commerce from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, VA, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In addition to his wife Bunny, Mr. Roberts is survived by his six children, Arch, Catherine, Deering, Will, Andrew, Taylor; and eight grandchildren. A memorial service will take place Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 at 11 am at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 NE 1st Street Gainesville, FL. 32601 For those who wish, contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Foundation, Inc. and Haven Hospice 4200 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville, FL. 32606. Milam Funeral & Cremation Services, 311 South Main Street Gainesville, FL. 32601, 352-376-5361