Timeline & Milestones
A Life in Sequence
The major chapters of Gary's life, in order. Dates drawn from family records are refined as documents are confirmed.
August 3, 1953
Born in St. Louis
Garrett “Gary” Roberts is born in St. Louis, Missouri.
Read more →Childhood
A St. Louis upbringing
Gary is raised by William “Monty” Munro Roberts III and Lora Roberts with his sister, Laura, and his brothers, Tim and Peter — a family that valued responsibility, imagination, hard work, loyalty and service.
Read more →Education
Ladue and Missouri State
Gary attends Ladue Horton Watkins High School and later Missouri State University, preparing for a professional life requiring technical precision, independent judgment and discretion.
Read more →Vietnam Era
U.S. Air Force — Okinawa
Gary serves in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, as a Morse code decoder in a sensitive communications role supporting Special Forces operations.
Read more →1980
Defense Mapping Agency
Gary begins his federal geospatial career with the Defense Mapping Agency, the organization whose mission later became part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Read more →1983
Gary and Kathleen marry
Gary marries Kathleen Roberts. Their marriage endures through more than four decades of professional change, family growth, creative exploration, retirement, celebrations and everyday life.
Read more →1980 – 2014
A geospatial career built on precision
Gary builds a career spanning approximately 33 years and 7 months across the Defense Mapping Agency and the national geospatial-intelligence mission, holding a Top Secret clearance and advancing to the highest professional level available within his career path.
Read more →Photography Career
An award-winning body of work
A self-taught photographer, Gary develops an award-winning portfolio using conventional and experimental methods — toy cameras, antique lenses and alternative processes — with exhibitions in St. Louis, Detroit and New York City.
Read more →Soulard Art Gallery
First artist member
Gary becomes Soulard Art Gallery's first artist member and later its longest-standing member — hanging shows, facilitating live music and anchoring the gallery's continuity.
Read more →Art of Darkness
Curator of the dark-art annual
Gary becomes curator of the gallery's annual Art of Darkness exhibition, the showcase for dark, surreal and experimental work.
Read more →2014
Retirement from federal service
Gary retires after more than three decades supporting the nation's mapping and geospatial-intelligence mission.
Read more →2020
67 miles at 67
On his 67th birthday, Gary rides 67 miles on his bicycle — setting a goal, preparing carefully and completing it with quiet satisfaction.
Read more →Continuing Legacy
Still behind the camera
Gary remains active in photography, gallery events, family life, cycling, golf and the preservation of Roberts family history.
Read more →