Biography · Photography · Family Legacy Archive
Gary Roberts
A Life of Service, Geospatial Intelligence, Photography, Family, and Legacy
Born August 3, 1953 · St. Louis, Missouri
Born in St. Louis on August 3, 1953, Gary Roberts has lived a remarkable life shaped by military service, more than three decades of federal geospatial work, award-winning photography, and an enduring devotion to family.
From decoding Morse code while stationed in Okinawa during the Vietnam era to supporting the nation's mapping and geospatial intelligence mission, Gary built a career around precision, trust, and seeing the world clearly. Away from government service, that same eye for detail found a second expression through photography and experimental art.
Core message
Service. Vision. Family. Legacy.
Gary Roberts spent his life reading signals, understanding the world through maps and imagery, and finding beauty through a camera lens.
His story connects national service, geospatial intelligence, visual art, family, and community.
Today, his story continues through Kathleen, Jessica, Jason, his grandchildren, his siblings, his extended family, and the images and memories he has created over a lifetime.
Four Chapters of One Life
U.S. Air Force · Vietnam Era
A Lifetime of National Service
Gary served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era, working in Okinawa as a Morse code decoder in a communications role supporting Special Forces operations. He later continued serving the country through a long civilian career in defense mapping and geospatial intelligence.
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Defense Mapping Agency & NGA · 1980–2014
A Career Built on Precision
From 1980 through 2014, Gary worked within the organization that began as the Defense Mapping Agency and became part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. His work required a Top Secret clearance, exacting security procedures, technical judgment, and a commitment to the accuracy of information used in national defense.
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Self-Taught · Award-Winning
An Artist’s Eye
Gary is a self-taught, award-winning photographer known for experimenting with toy cameras, antique lenses, and alternative techniques. His work has appeared in exhibitions in St. Louis, Detroit, and New York City.
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Husband · Father · Grandfather
Family at the Center
Gary has been married to Kathleen since 1983. He is the lifelong father of Jessica and Jason, a proud grandfather, the son of Monty and Lora Roberts, and the brother of Laura, Tim, and Peter.
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Family at the center
Meet the Roberts Family
Gary's life is part of a larger St. Louis family story shaped by entrepreneurship, technology, marketing, art, and service. He is the son of Monty and Lora Roberts, the brother of Laura, Tim, and Peter, the husband of Kathleen since 1983, and a devoted father and grandfather.
Soulard Art Gallery
Gary is the longest-standing member and first artist member of Soulard Art Gallery in St. Louis — hanging every show, helping facilitate live music, and curating the annual Art of Darkness exhibition.
Gary at the gallery →A Legacy of Character
Veteran. Geospatial professional. Public servant. Award-winning photographer. Artist. Husband. Father. Grandfather. Son. Brother. Friend.
Read the legacy page →Help Preserve Gary's Story
GaryRoberts.com is a living family archive. Family members, friends, former colleagues, fellow artists, and members of the St. Louis community are invited to contribute photographs, stories, exhibition records, awards, and memories.
Contribute a memoryThe Roberts Family Sites
Father
William “Monty” Munro Roberts III
The definitive life archive of Gary's father — marketing executive, motorsports pioneer and Episcopal minister.
montyroberts.life
Mother
Lora Lee Roberts
The family-curated archive of Gary's mother — artist, writer and serial entrepreneur.
loraleeroberts.com
Brother
Timothy Munro Roberts
Technology founder, enterprise architect and investor — the official site of Gary's brother Tim.
timothymunroroberts.com
Brother
Peter Munro Roberts
The memorial archive of Gary's brother Peter — founder of Phoenix Networks and an early broadband entrepreneur.
petermunroroberts.com