GERALD ROBERTS
1919 - 2004
Charter Inductee - 1961

Gerald Roberts of Strong City, Kansas was a two-time all-around World Champion cowboy and may be the greatest rodeo champion in Kansas history. He was crowned as the North American All-Around Champion in the 1950 and was the World Champion All-Around cowboy in 1942 and 1948. Roberts was a member of the rodeo-famous Roberts family who initiated the Flinthills Rodeo in Strong City in 1937. His older brother, Ken Roberts, was a world champion bull rider in 1943, 1944, and 1945 and his older sister, Marge Roberts, was also a world-class bronco rider and trick rider. The Strong City rodeo turned into a world-class event, with over 20,000 people annually attending. Roberts won the individual and all-around championships in several of the top rodeos in the country, including Cheyenne, Wyoming; Reno, Nevada; Madison Square Garden and the San Francisco Cow Palace. He won 67 championship buckles in his career. Roberts also served as a stunt double for famous actors including Glenn Ford, Jack Lemon, and Arthur Kennedy in several Western movies made in Hollywood. He was offered a role in the television series, “Rawhide” but turned it down to accept a chance to bring rodeo to the Olympics in Brussells. Inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in the 1965 and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1990. Born October 5, 1919 - Council Grove, Kansas. Died December 31, 2004. Attended Strong City (KS) H.S.