Comcast founder Ralph Roberts, 95, has died

Ralph J Roberts, 95, the soft-spoken visionary who in 1963 bought a tiny subscriber TV system in Tupelo (MS) and built it into Comcast, the nation's leading cable corporation, has died. Roberts, who had been in declining health lately, died of natural causes on June 18 in Philadelphia (PA). "Ralph was a born entrepreneur, a visionary businessman, a philanthropist and a wonderful human being," the Comcast said in a statement. "Ralph built Comcast into one of America's greatest companies and his vision and spirit have been at the heart of Comcast and our culture for 50 years. He will be truly missed."

At the time of his death, Roberts was past president and chairman emeritus of the public company. He was chairman of the board from 1969 to 2002. In 1990, at age 70 and after 21 years at the helm, he handed off the presidency to his son, Brian L. Roberts, then 30, in a rare successful intergenerational transfer of power. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said, "Ralph Roberst was a pioneer, an entrepreneur and a good man. It was my privilege to know, work with him, and learn from Ralph. He has left a lasting legacy on the communications landscape of America."