Roberts, Dave

Legendary Chicago DJ, Dave Roberts passed away on Monday, February 6th 2023 at the age of 64. Well known for his club night “Planet Earth” Dave served Chicago’s underground nightlife for almost four decades.

The son of a Methodist minister (The late Rev. William Roberts) he grew up in the parsonage of The Church of Three Crosses in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.

He had an early career creating visuals for Chicago advertising agencies, but it was the nightlife that became his vocation. Dave was a resident DJ at many of Chicago’s iconic nightclubs including The original Exit on Wells Street, Club 950, Neo, Kaboom, Smart Bar, Holiday Club, and many more. He was the co-creator of Late Bar in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood which opened in 2009. Surviving are his two loving sisters Lynn and Sally, his brothers Bill, Tim, and John, and the extended Roberts family. His younger brother Jeff, who worked for the NSA before becoming a Methodist minister like his father, died in 2021. His mother, Betty died in 2016. He has also left behind his loving partner and companion of 30 years, Kristine Hengl.

A private family memorial will be held in Evanston where he will be interred. A public memorial for his huge community of friends and fans will be announced on the Late Bar social media channels. Many thanks to the team at Swedish Hospital and Alden Rehabilitation Center for the care and kindness that was shown to Dave.

Deepest thanks to Anthony and Abdul Qaiyum and the team at Merz Apothecary for their loving support of Kristine as she cared for Dave the last six weeks of his life.

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