Founder of Comcast Ralph Robert passed away on June 18 at the age of 95. The cable TV pioneer died in Philadelphia of natural causes.
Roberts founded Comcast as a small business in 1963, and the now multi-billion-dollar company has since become the world's largest cable and broadcasting company, in terms of revenue. Roberts served as the chief executive officer of Comcast for more than four decades.
Born in 1920, Roberts grew up to become a businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 1963, he founded Comcast following the purchase of a Tupello, Mississippi-based cable company that had just 1,200 subscribers. In 1998, the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Roberts in their Hall of Fame.
Roberts turned the small regional company into the international conglomerate that Comcast is known as today. The company now has more than 22 million subscribers.
Roberts was widely admired and respected for his spirit and visionary leadership.
"Most importantly," read a statement from the company, "he was a kind and humble man who has been the heart and soul of Comcast for over 50 years."
Aside from Comcast and the cable industry, Roberts was also well known for his civic and community works. In 2006, Roberts and his wife Suzanne started the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at Penn Medicine to help out in the greater battle against cancer.
Robert was also on the boards of the Council of Emeritus Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Brandywine Museum and Conservancy, the Advisory Board of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, the Penn Medicine Board of Trustees and the National Conference for Community and Justice.
In 2014, Roberts and his wife received the Philadelphia Award for their lifetime contribution to city in the fields of business, philanthropy, culture and arts.
"Ralph was a remarkable man who touched the lives of so many people," read a statement from the Roberts family. "He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and perhaps most importantly, a kind and humble human being.
"He will always be remembered for his generosity, integrity, honesty, kindness and respect for everyone around him. He was an inspiration to us all and we will miss him greatly."
Roberts is survived by his wife Suzanne Roberts, his four children and eight grandchildren. Ralph Roberts's son Brian Roberts is the current CEO of Comcast, having stepped into the position in 2002.
