Duane Roberts, food entrepreneur, local investor and owner of the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, died Nov. 1. He was surrounded by family and his three dogs, just days shy of his 89th birthday, according to a statement made by his wife, Kelly J. Roberts.
While most people knew Roberts as the man who saved Riverside’s landmark Mission Inn and helped revitalize its historic core, the multi-millionaire’s original claim to fame was inventing the frozen burrito at the age of 19.
The son of a Riverside meat wholesaler made his first fortune in 1980 when he sold the food business.
In 2018, the Business Journal estimated his fortune at $525 million.
“From his early business successes to his transformative restoration of The Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, he poured his passion into preserving history and building a legacy of excellence, compassion, and love that will endure for generations,” Kelly Roberts wrote on Facebook.
In 1992, he bought the iconic Spanish Mission-style Mission Inn, saving it from the brink of demolition. It is now a AAA Four Diamond-rated hotel known for its yearly events such as Festival of Lights.
“Kelly and I have always believed that success in the hospitality industry starts from the ground up through offering unparalleled customer service and truly unique experiences such as our Festival of Lights and Pumpkin Stroll to our beloved guests,” Duane Roberts wrote on the hotel’s website.
Kelly Roberts said “his love for Riverside helped revitalize its historic core and strengthen the heart of the community.
