Santa Cruz, California

On February 10th the world lost a loving husband, brother, uncle and friend … an ever-adventurous musician, wine aficionado, car enthusiast, and home designer extraordinaire, who above all saw and kindled sparks of good things in other people. Nelson “Buz” Roberts passed away peacefully, hands held tight, wreathed in love. Dear friends and family, beautiful music, stories, laughter, tears, and a whiskey toast sent him off on his next journey.

His many doctors and Hospice of Santa Cruz County all worked tirelessly to make him as comfortable as possible, and for that we are so grateful. By all measures, Buz “died well,” enjoying the last week he had on this earth in his beautiful home, with his wife and dog by his side, able to say goodbye to his family and many dear friends. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kate Roberts; his sisters, Kathy Kellie and Penny Ball; his nieces, Megan Kellie and Jeannine Ball Maytan; and his nephew, Bill Kellie, Jr.

Buz was born on July 3, 1950 in Abington, PA and spent much of his childhood in Doylestown at the community swimming pool. He graduated from Central Bucks High School in 1968. Always an athlete, he excelled in diving, volleyball, and tennis. He spent four years in the Navy during the Vietnam War as an air traffic controller in Beeville, Texas.

Upon conclusion of his service, Buz followed a Navy buddy, Richard Strickland, to Santa Cruz in the mid 70’s. He attended Cabrillo College, completing courses that enabled him to get his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from UC Davis in 1979. After years in Silicon Valley’s nascent tech industry, Buz retired in 2000 to spend time remodeling, perfecting his golf game, tinkering with cars, playing and teaching guitar, and traveling all over the world with Kate.

Buz and Kate moved to Santa Cruz in 2011, a sort of coming home for him. He loved so many things about Santa Cruz: the ocean’s many moods, hiking in Pogonip, driving along the coast in his Acura NSX, hitting the range at DeLaveaga golf course, wine tasting, attending the AT&T Pebble Beach golf tournament each year, playing pickleball in the driveway, sailing on Monterey Bay with dear friends Scott Smith and Mary Culley, seeing world-class musicians at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, and just sitting in his beautiful courtyard playing guitar, watching the light change on the hills, and the birds and critters play around the fountain and feeders.

Buz touched so many lives through his warmth, humor, kindness, and his easy-going style. He loved teaching guitar and igniting a love of music in everyone around him … helping them appreciate what it takes to play guitar, to make music, to not be afraid. His was a life well-lived and well-loved. He will be fiercely missed.

In lieu of flowers please consider supporting Kuumbwa Jazz Education Programs in Buz’s memory: https://www.kuumbwajazz.org/support-kuumbwa-jazz/