Roberts Vaux

Roberts Vaux died on April 26, 2026, surrounded by overwhelming love from his children, grandchildren and many friends.

Roberts Vaux was born November 4, 1945, in Smoaks, South Carolina to Ruthven Vaux. Raised in Beaufort and later Sea Pines on Hilton Head, Roberts attended schools in Beaufort County and the Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut. He graduated from the University of South Carolina (USC) School of Business Administration in 1968 and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the USC School of Law in 1972. From there he served as a Municipal Court Judge and opened Vaux Law Firm in 1978 on Hilton Head, established Bluffton’s first law firm in 1984, and continued to work as a part-time Assistant Solicitor for the 14th Judicial Circuit.

Vaux Marscher Berglind, as it is now known, was established on the principle that everyone should have access to competent legal representation. With that foundation, he built one of the oldest and most notable firms in existence in the Lowcountry today. In this same spirit, his law firm began hosting its annual Christmas party, an event so well attended that in its original location in front of the office would shut down May River Road, as everyone in town was invited.

His commitment to law and equal representation overflowed into a dedication to serve his community and everyone in it. Roberts had an incredible heart for giving back and remained active in local affairs. He followed in his mother’s footsteps as a board member and trustee of the Beaufort Memorial Hospital and its foundation and continued the Vaux Clinical Employee of the Year award, one of the hospital’s highest honors for staff, previously established by his mother. In addition, he was deeply involved as Chairman of the Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services Commission where he was highly instrumental in bringing medical services to Bluffton in 1984. He served on boards for the Beaufort County School District, Bluffton Self Help, Broad River Health Care, Town of Bluffton Beautification Committee, Town of Bluffton Development Corporation, Historic Bluffton Foundation, May River Montessori School, co-founded by his wife Mary, School Improvement Council, and was co-founder of the Hilton Head Island Bar Association. Roberts served as a vestry member at St. Lukes Church, and was a member of the Church of the Cross for almost 50 years.

In addition to philanthropy, Roberts was an avid golfer and was the assistant director for the 1st Heritage Golf Classic in 1969. He played in the Bing Crosby Invitational Pro-Am for four years and finished 4th in 1986 when he was paired with CBS golf announcer Gary McCord.

Roberts is preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Mary Vaux, and is survived by Duke, his beloved English Cocker Spaniel, as well as the four children he shared with Mary: Mary Gwinn Hayes (John) of Spartanburg, SC, Emily Burden (Chris), Tabor Vaux (Erin) and Anna Pepper Hewett (Jason) all of Bluffton. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rollins Hayes; Audrey, Hayne, Wyatt and Faye Burden; Roberts and Ella Vaux; Addison, Pepper, Vivian and Mills Hewett; his brother in law, George Bolen (Mary Lee) of Salem, SC; and nieces Jennifer McNaughton (Sloan) and Elizabeth Cox (Keith) both of Charlotte, NC.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday May 2, 2026, at 11 a.m., downtown Historic Bluffton at the Church of the Cross, 110 Calhoun Street, Bluffton, SC.

Reception immediately following the service will be held at the Heyward House, 70 Boundary Street, Bluffton, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the May River Montessori Scholarship Fund, maryrivermontessori.com, P.O. Box 2557, Bluffton SC, 29910 or a charity of your choice.

Donations:

May River Montessori Scholarship Fund 

P.O.Box 2557, Bluffton SC 29910 

Tel: 1-843-757-2312 

Email: office@mayrivermontessori.com 

Web: https://www.mayrivermontessori.com/donate