Roberts wrote about physics, accelerators, and nuclear science at Berkeley Lab, infusing stories with wonder and excitement
By Aliyah Kovner and Julie Chao
Glenn Roberts Jr., a gifted science writer, pun master, devotee of all things tiki, and beloved member of the Berkeley Lab community, has died.
Roberts was hired by Berkeley Lab’s then-Public Affairs department in 2015 to cover physics, accelerators, and chemical sciences. He proved to be the team’s most prolific writer, throwing himself into topics as diverse as the crystal structure of parrotfish teeth, fallout debris from the Hiroshima bomb, and the use of quantum computing to study particle collisions. Meanwhile, he kept tabs on an alphabet soup of major science projects – ATLAS, BELLA, CUORE, FIONA, LUX-ZEPLIN – some with dozens of collaborating institutions. He tracked key milestones of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), including the “first light” captured by the telescope instrument in 2019.
Roberts died on Friday, March 26, of cancer. He was 48. Roberts refused to let his illness slow him down, choosing to go on leave less than two weeks before his death.
Many of his articles were among the most widely read and shared on the Lab’s News Center. His commitment to interviewing and promoting a diverse mix of participants from the studies he covered, and to framing the science with creativity and story-driven narratives, helped the public to see what team science is all about – while also highlighting the joy and excitement of being a scientist. “Much of the science we do is complex and difficult, but Glenn was able to bring it to life for a wide audience,” said Natalie Roe, Berkeley Lab’s Associate Lab Director for Physical Sciences.
“I’ve had many interactions with Glenn over the years, and he has done a marvelous job of advertising our fundamental scientific works to the public and to the research community. Often I got emails from very different fields not because of our published paper, but because of the broad audience of the news releases,” said Wanli Yang, a scientist at the Lab’s Advanced Light Source. “There is no doubt that without his great works, our scientific studies could never get this much and broad attention!”
A newspaper man at heart, Roberts was known by his colleagues and collaborators for his sharp wit, attention to detail, and unflagging professionalism. He regularly juggled multiple articles about breakthrough findings, often involving enormous international research collaborations, yet he made time to give each piece the consideration it deserved.
He often took on stories simply because he thought they merited a write-up, such as this thoughtful 2018 remembrance of Berkeley Lab’s first electrical engineer. He also had a knack for finding new angles to explain the science, such as this light-hearted 2019 piece on how scientists would carry a particle detector on an airplane for experiments at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN. It began with the memorable lines: “You may have observed airplane passengers accompanied by pets or even musical instruments on flights. But have you ever been seated next to a particle detector?”
“Glenn was a wonderful person, immaculate professional, and always represented the Lab and its many science activities with finesse and flair,” said Yury Kolomensky, an experimental particle physicist and Berkeley Lab’s spokesperson for the CUORE collaboration. “He wrote several pieces for my experiments, and was always a pleasure to work with.”
Roberts previously worked at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, where he covered research conducted with the Linac Coherent Light Source free-electron X-ray laser and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource. His talent for explaining complex topics – ranging from properties of subatomic particles to the use of X-rays for discovery science – allowed people from all walks of life to appreciate the fundamental scientific research being conducted at the national labs.
Born in Hayward, California, Roberts knew he wanted to be a writer from a young age. After studying journalism at Sacramento State, during which time he interned at several local papers, he got a job at the Davis Enterprise. He then worked at several newspapers in California before starting at the Tri-Valley Herald in Pleasanton. It was in this role that Roberts was first introduced to the national labs. His job at the Herald was to cover the “Labs beat,” meaning he wrote about news and research coming out of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the nearby Sandia National Laboratories California site.
Roberts fell in love with the subjects he covered, describing his role as one of the best jobs he ever had. Years later, he jumped at the opportunity to work at SLAC, where he could not only immerse himself in the science, but also collaborate with the researchers directly.
After nearly four years at SLAC, he was thrilled to bring his skills to Berkeley Lab, where he could continue to cover the physics research he enjoyed but work closer to his home in the East Bay. He was a dedicated Lab employee for more than five years, during which time he helped grow the Lab’s media presence and fostered relationships with the Bay Area network of science communicators. In addition, he was the creative and logistical force behind many of the Lab’s most successful events, initiatives, and campaigns, such as our International Year of the Periodic Table celebration and the Lab’s first-ever Physics Photowalk.
“Glenn’s work in science writing and communication was how much of the public heard about our work,” said Thomas Schenkel, head of the fusion science and ion beam technology program in Berkeley Lab’s Accelerator Technology and Applied Physics Division. “Our published articles are only read in very small, specialized circles. But Glenn worked with us to get our stories across and present them to a broad audience. He wrote eloquently to share our results, from quantum computing, to cold fusion, to COVID-19. I am very grateful for that.”
Roberts’ science writing helped Berkeley Lab’s communications group (now Strategic Communications) to win gold prizes for news writing from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in 2017 and again in 2020.
In the office, it was a regular sight to see Roberts on the phone to scientists at CERN one minute, planning a fun “Nerd Nite” event the next, and helping a co-worker craft a clever headline right after.
Outside of work, Roberts enjoyed spending time with his family, relaxing on warm beaches, going to Oakland A’s games, collecting Star Wars paraphernalia, and immersing himself in music – he was a self-taught ukulele player and grew up in a musical household. His other big passion was crafting and tinkering. Roberts used his boundless inventive energy to make fun and unique items, and often with a tiki flair. A longtime tiki culture enthusiast, Roberts built his own tiki bar and crafted Polynesian-inspired mugs, coasters, dishtowels, sculptures, and much more. Many of them were on display in his cubicle and shared freely with his colleagues.
Roberts underwent many treatments for cancer throughout his five years working at the Lab. He continued working until two weeks before his death because, according to his wife, he loved his job and his coworkers.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Roberts, of Lafayette, a son, 11, and daughter, 13.
Robert’s ashes will be dispersed in the San Francisco Bay this month, and a tiki-themed memorial will be held this summer.
To share your memories of Glenn Roberts, comments may be added below.
For those interested in making a donation, gifts (one-time or recurring) can be made to the childrens’ college funds. Go to ugift529.com, enter the beneficiary’s code (Kate R. B8N-59A, Jack R. Q4L-C3V), and complete the instructions online. (UGift FAQ)
Thank you, Glenn, for all your great storytelling.
Glenn infected all of us with the boundless wonder, creativity, and joy that he brought to his craft — communicating about science — and he gave this gift to the Lab’s research mission every day. He was also an incredible human being. We miss you Glenn.
I remember Glenn riding by me on his scooter each morning on the way to the office. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
A terrible loss of a wonderful man. Thank you for this thoughtful remembrance.
I’m grateful for Glenn’s gift of sharing the wonder and importance of the work our colleagues do. Wishing his family and friends solace.
It was such an enriching and fun experience to work with Glenn on writing an article about some of our work. His genuine and enthusiastic interest was refreshing and motivating. He’ll be dearly missed!
Glenn was very generous with his writing advice and I’ll miss his enthusiasm and sense of humor.
A true pro and outstanding human. He set a high bar. An inspiration for me.
It was always such a pleasure being around Glenn, talking with him, and learning from his insights, out of the box thinking, and kindness. A wonderful colleague and a lovely human. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Glenn was a great person and a great writer. The tiki and bobble-head collection he kept at his desk was impressive and a constant source of fun in the office. I’m glad I was able to work alongside him and he will be missed.
I worked with Glenn on several projects for Physical Sciences and it was always a pleasure. He was an excellent writer and editor. What I remember him most fondly for was his great story of William Baker (https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2018/07/24/berkeley-labs-first-electrical-engineer-william-r-bill-baker/). I contacted him for William Baker’s daughter, Joyce Shon with the hope of writing a story and Glenn came through with a wonderful, rich remembrance. Really generous of him.
I’m Glenn’s sister, and I can’t thank you enough for writing this epic tribute to my brother. It means so much to us. Yes, he loved his job and the people he worked with. We’re all lucky he was able to share his many passions with us – he gave us so much. We miss him terribly, but this article adds to our wonderful memories.
Glenn’s absence is felt every day in the Physical Sciences; it almost feels as though we have been rendered mute. Glenn was such a joy to work with and so outstanding in his quiet and unassuming way. He made our science accessible and enabled it to reach a much broader audience, often with a clever or memorable turn of phrase. Rest in peace Glenn, and know that you are missed.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Glenn. He had a brilliant mind, an impeccable work ethic and an always friendly presence. My sincere condolences to his family.
I met Glen in the first few weeks after he began working at the Lab, during one of the Public Affairs Office’s gatherings. He was easy and fun to chat with. Several times after that, Glen reached out for help with illustrations for articles he was working on. He was easy and fun to work with. I’m sadden by the loss.
It was such a privilege working alongside Glenn. He exhibited such joy and excitement about the subjects he covered, and regularly wrote circles around us. His creative energy extended to items he’d 3D print at home to share with his colleagues at work. And don’t get me started on the bobbleheads. He was an amazing human being, and his loss is felt deeply.
It was always such a pleasure working with Glenn at LBNL. He was a fantastic writer and will definitely be missed.
A very nice tribute. You will be missed Glenn. Sincere condolences to your family.
Each interaction I had with Glenn was positive and his excitement about our science and research here at Berkley Lab was infectious. Truly a loss for the Lab community. We will remember Glenn fondly.
I’m Glenn’s cousin and this is such a remarkable tribute to Glenn. Thank you for letting us get a peek into his beloved work life. It really is a treasure for his family and friends.
I met Glenn in 1999 when he answered an Internet billboard post I made looking for information and crewmembers of the USS Chiwawa AO-68. Glenn’s grandfather and my dad served aboard the ship during World War II . He helped me get started researching the ship and finding crewmembers of the ship. He published several editions of a newsletter for the ship. He helped me write a book about the ship titled, King of the Oilers the Story of the USS Chiwawa AO-68. I would not have been able to do this with out him. I don’t think he knew how many lives he touched through this project. He truly was a gifted and special person. He will be greatly missed.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don’t have to live forever, you just have to live.” Glenn embodied this quote; he lived a life that inspired me and so many others. I will continue to carry that inspiration with me in my own health journey and think of him fondly and with gratitude.
I’ll also think of him and smile whenever I hear a “punny” joke, encounter anything to do with a Tiki Bar or see a stack of soup cans reminding me of the ever-present stack on his desk in our office at SLAC. He is missed and remembered.
I have such fond memories of the period before PA transitioned to Strategic Communications and we were down to a core team. A few of us early arrivers in the office had meaningful chats around the coffee maker and Glenn brought a particular kind of joy and humor to these interactions. He was often the first to suggest a team lunch and was just so easy and enjoyable to be around and to work with. We were all inspired by his talent and work ethic. All of us who worked with Glenn are grieving with his team.
I feel privileged to have overlapped with Glenn for about a year at SLAC when I first started my career as a full-time science writer. I definitely looked up to him on many levels, admiring his love for the lab, its science and people, his writing, his professionalism, his sense of humor and his sheer endless energy and enthusiasm. And above all, I’ll always remember Glenn as a kind and genuine person.
Glenn was a real inspiration for me as a scientist. He knew, better than anyone else I’ve ever met, how to spot the essence of a new result and translate it into the most accessible, fun, and accurate story. He exuded unadulterated joy and enthusiasm for his art, and you couldn’t help but be uplifted when working with him. Thank you for this article, which captures his talents so well. Glenn – you will be greatly missed.
Glenn embodied the optimism and enthusiasm that I associate with the essential character of SLAC. Every interaction I with Glenn was encouraging and uplifting, and it always felt like we were working on something exciting and new. No matter how exuberant I was about a new result, Glenn put it into words that made me feel even more proud. What a great gift to have had Glenn in our lives and to have his memory continue to inspire us.
Mornings in Building 65 are a cherished memory for me. A time when, typically, Glenn and I had at least an hour or so to ourselves to share laughs, brainstorm new ideas, swap stories, contemplate the world as we knew it, speculate on all the “what ifs,” and help each other out in our areas of expertise. Glenn was a constant source of inspiration and challenged myself and our team in ways only Glenn could. I miss his enthusiasm, spark, joy, light, love, and optimism. He will always be with me in my soul. A true gentleman and incredibly selfless human being. Glenn, I will carry your light throughout my life. Thank you for all you were to me and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing you. You are dearly missed, every day.
I have so many fond memories of Glenn from our time working in SLAC Communications.: His warmth, humor, energy, generosity and enthusiasm for the science he covered, his family, baseball, all-you-can-eat pizza, Philz Coffee, everything tiki. His caring nature — I could talk to him about anything, and he reached out to offer me help with some family troubles I was going through. His creativity, from the tiki-themed coasters and bags he made to the T-shirts he designed for our little group at the March for Science (“Science Tells the TRUTH “on the front and “Don’t Play Russian Roulette With Our Planet” on the back. He had an awful ~2 hour commute to SLAC, which he negotiated with various combinations of car and BART, and he mentioned that he would pass the time on the train writing poetry. Not long after he left SLAC, I was at Berkeley Lab for an event and we met up for lunch. He did not mention that he had cancer until just before we got up to leave. I sensed that it was not something he wanted to dwell on; he was so focused on life and on the joy of the moment, His spirit lives on in all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.
Glenn is greatly missed. I’ll always remember his humor (he was always quick with a pun), his kindness, his enthusiasm and energy for science writing, and his endless creativity. It was a great privilege working with him. He will always be an inspiration,
What a prolific science writer and an excellent writer in general. And a great colleague within UC. So tragic that his life was cut short. My condolences to his family and his former colleagues.
Thank you John for posting this tribute to Glenn. About two years ago, I got the opportunity to meet Glenn. I was very new to LD and we spent sometime talking about our careers. I found him to be very personable and very passionate about his work. I was shocked to hear the bad news, it is truly very tragic. for his family, friends and the Lab. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, he will be greatly missed.
For a year and a half, before COVID took us into our homes, I sat within whispering distance of a good quip from our finest comic of all, Glenn.
Glenn took time for people.
My first week at the Lab he tutored me where to eat and how to maneuver the B65 cart up and down the Lab’s steep Nobel roads.
He was often the first to put on the coffee and sometimes the last to leave the office.
He was the kind of person who made you lean in and say “What if…”
He could write short, long, serious, light, dark matter and so much more. When you asked him for an idea, he gave you 20.
Working together in media relations, he pushed me to see how we could share our science with more people.
Today he’s the kind of person who makes me say “I wish.”
Thank you Glenn. It was a gift to share space and time with you.
Glenn did not just work the 9-5–he was volunteering on weekends as well to promote STEM education for the next generation. We were there together at the Lawrence Hall of Science on a Saturday engaging with kids to help spark their interest in science and technology. Always willing to help, and generous with his time. He was a wonderful colleague, and one heck of a writer. Glenn was truly gifted and sorely missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace.
Glenn JR lived his life well and excelled in all of professional and personal roles. I have fond memories of a fun morning, alon with his M Sue that we spent at the Alameda Flea Market. Glenn had broad interests and diverse. talents. May fond memories sustain all in his loss.
I worked with Glenn at the Tri Valley Herald. I hadn’t kept up with him much over the past 20 years or so, but he left an impression on me as a good-hearted guy with a lot of writing potential. Although I’m deeply saddened to hear of his loss, it is inspiring to read here how he discovered a passion in science writing, and what a positive impact he had on all those around him.
A story from back in those newspaper days speaks to the kind of person Glenn was and would become. Glenn joined our company softball team, “The Band,” immediately elevating our skill level and competitiveness. Part of his contribution was to play a role that required something of a sacrifice. Glenn was a lefty, and it’s almost unheard of to have lefties play shortstop. It forces them to twist their bodies an extra turn to make the throw to first base.
But Glenn was far-and-away our best fielder. So he agreed to hold down that crucial spot, and make those extra turns time and again on defense. He may not have had a single error all season.
Thanks for your fine work in multiple fields, Glenn. You lifted us all up.