Around the world, local newspapers and Elvis

Dale Roberson: Driftwood resident, newspaperman, roughneck and grease monkey are just a few of the monikers that he’s had in his 80 plus years of life. Newspaperman is the one that he has used for the past twenty years or so.

Roberson and his wife Joyce were also the original owners of the News-Dispatch, formed when the Wimberley Valley News and the Dripping Springs Dispatch were merged.

He was there when the first issue of the Wimberley View was being printed in Fredericksburg, spending time with the late Hondo Crouch, owner of famed Luckenbach with another Wimberley newspaperman.

He has worked for other newspapers around the state and Southwest during his time, such as the Dallas Daily News, the Real County American in Leakey, Texas and the Onion Creek Press, later renamed Hays Free Press and others around the state.

But being stuck behind a typewriter and printing press isn’t what the man is made of. A world traveler, hunting in Alaska and finding moose pecans, racing cars way past their speed limit, these are just a few of the stories that entertain in Roberson’s new book titled “Persons, Places and Things.”

Born in New Mexico, but only 5 miles from the Texas border, his early life is that of following his father’s jobs in the oilfield all over the state and the Southwest. His father’s gas station ownership gave him insight into fast cars and something that has long remained with him--what it is like to work for a living.

His life and travels to Africa, Europe and the other side of the border are a reflection of the period he has grown up in. Telling the truth is also a part of being a journalist, and sometimes language can be outdated and considered not politically correct, but it is a part of the truth.

There have also been tragedies in his life; his wife Joyce died in a fire in Driftwood a few years back to name just one. But now he is still busy, appearing as a guest on NPR or waiting for acceptance from the New York Times on an article he just wrote.

But the one story I had not heard and was impressed to all get out, was his not only meeting Elvis numerous times, but Elvis remembering him and his nickname of “Red.” Now that is impressive.

There’s also a chapter on the Jewish Mafia, another fact that was a revelation. I didn’t even know there was one. Being on its good side is one way to live and tell this tale.

The book was “mainly written for my family,” but is a good time capsule of what it was like, in Central Texas, Texas and the world. There are stories of “People and Places,” “Things” and pets--such as all the dogs he has owned, how each was acquired, and each dog’s qualities. His present dog, Chuy, was his wife’s dog that made it out of the fire and is now a close and constant companion.

It is 294 pages, and an interesting read, especially for journalists in the Central Texas area. It delves into what the country and world was like through a journalist’s eyes. It is a fun and easy read. Roberson’s self-published (of course) book is $14.95 and available through Amazon Books.

You can find more information about Roberson and his book by visiting

amazon.com/Persons-Places-Things-through-Roberson.