Roebuck was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Central High School in 1963.
[2] Roebuck served as a lecturer (1970-1977) and assistant professor (1977-1984) of history at Drexel University.
[3] He then worked as a legislative assistant to Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode (1984-1985).
He was sworn-in on June 3, 1985 and subsequently reelected for 17 more terms, serving for 35 years.
During his time in office, Roebuck was the Democratic chairman of the House Education Committee and a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.