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Myron Roberts; English Professor, Journalist, Author

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Myron Roberts, professor, author and journalist who was an early associate editor of Los Angeles magazine, has died. He was 69.

Roberts, who taught English at Chaffey College, Saddleback College and UC Irvine, died Tuesday of an undisclosed illness.

Most popular among his several texts were “The Pursuit of Happiness” and “The Begatting of a President,” which was turned into a best-selling album narrated by Orson Welles. Roberts received a Grammy nomination for the work, a biblical parody of the Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon administrations.

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Reared and educated in Los Angeles, Roberts began his career as a newspaperman, working for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and the Los Angeles Examiner. He also worked as executive secretary to the California lieutenant governor in 1962-64 before settling into writing and teaching.

He was associate editor of Los Angeles magazine from 1960 to 1971.

Roberts is survived by his wife, Estelle, two daughters, Cathy Ross and Victoria Conway, and two granddaughters.

The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the American Heart Assn.

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