Robert J. "Bob" Friesner

Robert J. Bob Friesner, age 77, a resident of North Chelmsford, formerly of Albuquerque, NM, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 9, 2022, at Lowell General Hospital. He was the belove husband of Kathleen A. Kate Friesner with whom he shared almost 46 years of marriage.

Bob was born in Pasadena, CA on December 25, 1944, and was raised in Azusa, CA as the only child of the late Samuel R. and Edith (Frank-Jones) Friesner.

He earned a BA in history from UC Riverside, an MA in Asian History from the University of Kansas, and an MBA from UCLA. Bob held various positions in finance and accounting ultimately settling in Albuquerque, NM with his wife where they raised their son Richard.

During his life Bob traveled extensively. Following the completion of his MA, Bob spent two years conducting research on Chinese History in Taiwan on a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship. While there he became fluent in Mandarin which led to him serving as an interpreter for one of the first groups of Chinese National Scholars to visit the U.S. following the opening up of China to the West. He spent extensive time in the Philippines working on a team overseeing the relocation of a power plant from Colorado. Bob and Kate also vacationed in North and Central America, Europe, and Asia. On their trip to the Chinese mainland, the Chinese were wowed by his fluent Mandarin.

Richards birth drew them both back to their episcopal roots. They worshipped at several churches, spending more than 20 years at St Johns Cathedral in Albuquerque, and the last 5 years at All Saints in Chelmsford. Bob said of his time at St. Johns that he held every job possible with the exception of that of ordained priest.

Bobs service to the community was not limited to the church. As a youth he held several leadership positions within his boy scout troop and the Order of the Arrow and served as the Student Body President his senior year of high school. As an adult he spent decades as a member of Civitans where he worked on countless projects, many directed towards children and adults with special needs.

Service was a hallmark of Bobs life and his true passion resided with the Boy Scouts of America which he told Kate saved him by providing him with purpose, direction and a support system, following the death of his father when he was in junior high. He has served in various positions at both the pack and troop levels ever since, attending countless meetings, events, and trips both with his son and his grandsons. He was affectionately called Sir Bob by the scouts of Troop 77, a name he earned while attending summer camp with them last July. This year he was to receive his 30-year service pin.

After retiring Bob and Kate relocated from Albuquerque to be closer to their two grandsons first to Fredericksburg, VA and most recently to North Chelmsford, MA where he quickly threw himself into service to the community at the Senior Center, All Saints Episcopal Church, Pack 70, and Troop 77.

Other hobbies that Bob enjoyed included gardening, chess, pool, bowling, and golf. He spent hours planning and tending his vegetable garden each year and could be seen completing projects in the yard almost daily. He played chess and poker with his grandsons at the kitchen table, and they loved going to play pool with him at the senior center on early release days from school.

Bob lived by the Scout Oath and embodied the 12 tenets of the Scout Law and as a result his life was full of friendship, fellowship, community, and love.

In addition to his loving wife, Bob leaves his son and daughter-in-law; Richard K. Friesner and Bethany K. Friesner and two cherished grandsons, Benjamin E. & Samuel K. Friesner all of North Chelmsford.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 4 6 pm in the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. His funeral service will be held on Friday, May 20, at 11 am at All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Billerica Rd., Chelmsford. Please gather at the church. MASKS ARE KINDLY REQUIRED. For those unable to attend, the service will be available via Livestream at ASC Bob Friesner Memorial. A reception will follow the funeral service in the parish hall of All Saints. Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bobs name to support scouting at WCUMC. Please make checks payable to BSA Pack 70 and mail to WCUMC, 242 Main Street, North Chelmsford, MA 01863.

Service Details
Visitation
When
May 19, 2022 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location
Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home
Address
24 Worthen Street
Chelmsford, MA 01824

Funeral Service
When
May 20, 2022 11:00am
Location
All Saints Episcopal Church
Address
10 Billerica Road
CHELMSFORD, MA 01824