Robert A Freund

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert August Freund (Bob) announces his passing. He passed away peacefully Sunday December 17th after a long battle with Prostate Cancer. He was home and surrounded by his wife, all of his children and many of his grandchildren.

Bob was born in Rocky Point NY attended Rocky Point Grammar school and then Port Jefferson High School Graduating in 1954 at age 16. The next two years he worked various jobs from welders apprentice to truck driver. In 1956 he entered Paul Smith College as a forestry major, but graduated with an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. He then transferred to Morehead State University graduating in 1960 with majors in Biochemistry and English. He started a graduate program in Laboratory Medicine in West Virginia, but unfortunately his draft deferments expired. However he had sufficient credits to take the ASCP Board exam earning him direct Commissioning as a 2/LT in the US Army.

After three years of active duty he accepted a joint position as adjunct faculty at Merrimack College and in the laboratory of Lawrence General Hospital. The primary goal was to establish curriculum and obtain certification for a School of Medical Technology. During the same period he continued his military career by becoming a member of the 331st General Hospital.

After the school was established he was named Administrative Director of Laboratories. The role continued to expand and he soon found himself as Director of multiple departments i.e. Laboratory Medicine, Physical Therapy, Cardiac Cauterization and all imaging modalities. He retired from the military in 1997 and from Lawrence General Hospital in the year 2000 which allowed for a permanent move to the mountains of NH where he pursued his love of skiing and hiking.

At the same time his hospital career was growing his responsibilities in the military were doing the same. After the 331st General Hospital was inactivated he was named Commander Co. B (Med) 187th Infantry Brigade (Sep). Other assignments included Commander 323rd Medical Laboratory, (allowing his promotion to COL) Commander 373rd General Hospital, Commander 803d Medical Group and Chief of Staff 804th Medical Brigade. He received multiple awards during his career, but his most treasured were his badges the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Air Assault Badge. Upon retirement he was awarded the Legion of Merit.

Bob was particularly proud when both his sons raised their hands to serve their country; Dan as a naval officer and Eric as a Marine. Eric, as a member of the 10th Marine Expeditionary force, and his brigade were selected to be the first to enter Kuwait City during the Persian Gulf War.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Joyce, two sons Dan with his wife Gail and Eric with his wife Lori and his three daughters Debbie with her husband Dan, Karin with her husband Carlton and Kristin with her husband Josh. He had 18 loving grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother William and wife Cornelia. He is also survived by his extended family members Patrick and Linda Creegan and their four children. He was preceded by his mother Elizabeth Freund and father August Freund.

A celebration of life will be sometime in the spring of 2018 with eventual burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Morrison Nursing Home in Whitefield, NH.

 Service Information