Duane R. Roberts, who reopened the shuttered Mission Inn Hotel & Spa and helped spark a revival of downtown Riverside, died Saturday night, Nov. 1.

Roberts, 88, died in his sleep surrounded by his family — days away from his 89th birthday, according to a statement from his wife Kelly Roberts.

She called her husband “a visionary entrepreneur, devoted husband and a man whose heart and generosity forever shaped our family and community.”

“I feel so blessed to have shared 35 wonderful years of marriage with Duane,” Kelly Roberts said. “Together, we built a beautiful life working side by side, sharing in the joy, purpose, and love that defined our journey together.”

Roberts, a Laguna Beach resident and Riverside native who made his first millions by creating frozen burritos, purchased the inn in 1992. He restored it to prominence and a year later created the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Festival of Lights, a holiday season spectacle that has drawn legions of visitors each year and national recognition.

The inn is a city, state and national landmark and the city’s top tourist site.

Roberts, a staunch Republican, served in the military and “deeply loved his country,” according to the statement.

“He believed passionately in the principles of hard work, perseverance, and opportunity values that guided both his business ventures and his life,” the statement reads.

Roberts and his wife, co-owner of the hotel, have been major contributors to Republican candidates and causes over the years.

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Kelly Roberts also noted her husband’s generosity, which she said “touched countless lives across the nation.”

Duane Roberts supported causes such as pets, education, veterans, healthcare and the arts.

“He was deeply committed to helping those in need, and his compassion knew no bounds,” Kelly Roberts said.

Her statement concludes by saying that Duane Roberts’ “light will continue to shine brightly.”

“His light will forever guide us in service, in kindness and in love.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.