Robert Freeman

If you met Robert in life, it’s pretty safe to assume he gave you something or helped you in some way. Perhaps he bought dinner for you, took you on a trip, helped you when you were stranded on the side of the road, bought you groceries, a meal, or even paid a bill for you that you otherwise couldn’t afford. Or maybe you were one of the many honorary family members that Bob invited to live in his house for free when you were down on your luck. Perhaps you stayed a week, perhaps a year; he didn’t count the days and never asked you for a dime. Maybe you were one of the many that he gave a car to. There are a lot of vehicles out there that have passed through his hands that are being driven by someone Bob decided to bless in a way that few people would. Or it’s possible, even, that Bob blessed you in even bigger ways. There are those stories too—dozens, in all likelihood—but those were ones he mostly kept to himself. Actually, they all were. Bob didn’t give for platitudes and applause; he just selflessly gave. Perhaps that’s why he had such a hard time throwing things away. “You never know when someone might need it.” Bob was fiercely loyal and unfailingly faithful. He served tirelessly in his work at the Detroit News and Free Press for 37 years. He married his soulmate and high school sweetheart, Cynthia, when he was 21 years old and he never stopped loving her. And though she went home to Jesus 27 years before him, Cynthia remained the love of Bob’s life and his eyes would still light up and fill with tears when he spoke of her, until his very last breath. Bob loved all six of his kids “a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck” and was so proud of each one of them. He considered his daughters-in-law and sons-in-law family from the start and loved them deeply. Bob was the proudest Papa there could be and he took every opportunity to happily tell others that he had so many grandkids--28 was a number he was so very proud of. He was honored to be the son of two amazing parents who he loved with all his heart and whom he missed terribly after they had gone; he also gratefully embraced his role as son-in-law and brother-in-law to Cindy’s family and he continued those relationships until the very end. He cherished his role as a brother and loved his 5 siblings and his brothers-in-law and sister-in-law immensely. Bob spoke often about how he couldn’t imagine how anything in life could come in the way of family. Bob was a good friend to many throughout the years and had a few rare friendships that truly stood the test of time. He loved regularly talking with and having visits from his friend Bill and the bond of that friendship was one that meant so much to him. It didn’t matter the circumstances, Bob just loved making memories and sharing moments with family and friends. Being with his loved ones was his favorite pastime. Bob was an incredibly intelligent and skillful man. After losing his wife, Bob raised his kids in a house that always had a project going on, but seeing as he didn’t do anything small in his life, the projects were always a bit more than just freshening up some paint. His kids would often come home and have to search the whole house to find the kitchen because Bob had decided it was best to relocate it to another part of the house. He built and fixed so many computers in his life that it wouldn’t be possible to keep track of the number and since he gave them all away, he likely kept Bill Gates from being an even wealthier man. Stemming from his teenage years, he had a love of cars and taught himself how to maintain and fix them. This skill was one he utilized a lot in life and throughout the years, he was often getting dirt on his hands making a vehicle run again. He was the man to call when you had a question that needed answering; those who knew him would likely agree that it would be fair to say that before the world learned to “Google it”, “Bobbing it” was a pretty good choice. Bob had a memory like a steel trap. When there was a story being recollected and the details were muddy, he was the one who could set the record straight. Likely that’s because he soaked up life and lived with intentionality in such a way that moments—even seemingly small ones—didn’t pass him by, but rather became a part of who he was, which allowed him to remember them and share them freely. Even after becoming sick, Bob battled on and fought with a strength that few possess. When he lost his leg, Bob was told he may not be able to walk and that the possibility of learning to walk with a prosthetic would be a long, hard road. Clearly, that medical opinion didn’t know Robert and his perseverance, stubbornness, and strength. In fact, when he began Physical Therapy and began walking with the prosthetic so quickly, Bob may have shocked the medical team, but not those who knew him. As a result, while in and out of the hospital, it became a theme from his countless nurses and other medical professionals that he was their “star student” and “a true fighter.” Bob left early in 2016 because it’s an election year and even though arguing about politics with his children was one of his favorite pastimes, he knew the fun was taken out of it when we actually agreed that there were no good candidates on either side. His laughter and kindness made the world brighter every single day, but Bob did enough work in this world for a whole army of people and his job was finally done. He went to be with Jesus and have bestowed upon him a much deserved crown. The Lord has removed his burden, filled him with peace, and Robert has finally heard the words he waited so long to hear: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Dad, Papa, son, brother, uncle, friend: You are so deeply missed and we all love you “oodles and oodles, lots and lots, and forever and ever.” The words you said faithfully to us children every night as you tucked us into bed, we now say to you, Daddy, as we lay you to rest: Good night, God Bless, Pleasant Dreams, and WE LOVE YOU!!! In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you take an opportunity to bless someone in an unexpected way. Please do so in honor of Robert's memory and how he lived his life. You can otherwise send donations to Rockpointe Community Church in Sterling Heights who is hosting the luncheon for the family and will use the funds to continue to help those in need.

Robert Freeman

March 12, 2016