Robert Freeman
Godfrey |
Robert Hailey Freeman, 75, died Friday, April 16, 2010 following a lengthy illness.
He was born May 23, 1934 in Alton, IL to Orren Hailey and Verlie Freeman.
He married Catherine "Louise" Tarrant on Aug. 6, 1955. She preceded him in death in 2007.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey and two sisters, Betty Harris and Annie McCool.
He is survived by three sons and four daughters in law, Wayne and Fanee Freeman of Bozeman, MT, Douglas Hailey and Sharon of Grafton, IL, Kenny and Stephanie of Dow, IL, Beth Swazey of Bar Harbor, ME; a grandson, Andrew Hailey Freeman of Bozeman, MT, two granddaughters Emily Freeman of Bozeman, MT and Abigail Catherine Freeman of Alton IL, as well as two sisters; Alma "June" Crockett of Lincoln, NE and Carol Heath of Broken Arrow, OK.
Bob led a full life. He served in the 82 Airborne Ranger Division, he was a founding member of the Missouri Speleological Society, an avid hiker and felt at home rafting dangerous rivers throughout the west. Bob and Louise were a team in the environmental movement for 40 years. They respected leaders in conservation, helping form and shape organizations such as Piasa Palisades Group of the Sierra Club and the Nature Institute. Bob especially felt the need to support the Treehouse Wildlife Center. He was a quiet, yet tireless advocate for all that is green before it became commonplace.
An open house and celebration of his life will be held at 709A Wind Rivers Drive in Grafton, IL on May 1, 2010 from 2 – 5pm. Memorials may be made to Treehouse Wildlife Center, 1825 Fosterburg Rd. Brighton, IL 62012.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
