City Honors Beloved Employee Who Passed Away

The room at Tuesday night's City Council meeting was full of emotion as staff presented an award to the husband of a Dublin resident and city employee who passed away last week.

"This has been a very sad week in the City of Dublin," said Mayor Tim Sbranti. "We lost a member of our family... one of our employees..."

Glenn Dikeman accepted an award on behalf of his late wife, Roberta, who passed away on Feb. 15 after suffering a stroke. 

Roberta was recognized for her rowing achievements. In attendance with Glenn was Roberta's father, son Henry, 8, and daughter, Etta, 5.

On Feb. 7 the Dublin mom of two posted that the Dublin City Council was going to recognize her for outstanding achievement for earning two certified indoor rowing world records in a Peninsula event: most meters in 24 hours (226,136 meters) and longest continual row in a division for lightweight women 40-49. But later that day, Roberta, 45, suffered a stroke, underwent surgery and was in a coma.

Following a moment of silence, Joni Patillo, City Manager of Dublin, addressed the audience. 

"She left a great big whole in our organization," said Patillo.

In December 2012, Roberta would have celebrated her fifth year as a city employee.

"There is not one person in our organization that doesn't have a wonderful thought or memory of Roberta..."

Patillo referenced Roberta's children, saying that her daughter was "the light of her life" and her son was "everything she would ever want in a son."

"I just want to honor her and recognize her for being an amazing person."

"She will not be forgotten," said Patillo.

The meeting was adjourned in Roberta's honor and memory. To read more about Roberta Dikeman, click here.