Robert Freeman

La Plata County resident Rob Freeman died on November 1, 2011 after a courageous battle against a rare and aggressive cancer called merkel cell carcinoma. He was 66 years old. He was born in Washington, DC on December 15, 1944, the eldest of three sons of C.A. Freeman and Mary Halstead. He grew up in Cheverly, MD and attended Bladensberg High School, Prince Georges County Community College, and the University of Maryland. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in 1965 and was medically discharged that same year after a debilitating injury. Rob worked for C&P Telephone Company in the 1960s and, at that time, was the youngest person ever to serve on the White House “test desk,” a problem-solving and trouble-shooting position in the phone company. He became a carpenter in 1970, and built houses for 14 years. In the 1970s Rob began to travel extensively in the western United States, during which time he discovered Durango. He met his future wife, Joanne Spina, in Washington DC in 1975, and they moved to Colorado together in 1980.

Rob was an avid outdoorsman. In 1982, Rob and Joanne backpacked, climbed and hiked their way through the western United States, Alaska, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada. In his younger days, Rob climbed Mt. Whitney, in California, the Grand Teton in Wyoming, Popocatepetl and Pico de Orizaba in Mexico, and approximately 2 dozen “fourteeners” in Colorado. He most enjoyed hiking and backpacking in the desert, and did so extensively in the Grand Canyon and southeastern Utah. When he was 50, Rob taught himself to sea kayak, which took him to the coasts of Alaska, Maine, Oregon, Florida, South Carolina, the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia, the Everglades, as well as to lakes in many states. Multi-day kayaking excursions on Lake Powell were among his favorite kayaking trips.

Rob was a gifted photographer. In his travels domestically and abroad, he captured breathtaking photos of wildlife, landscapes and special places. He was also a prolific reader whose interests ranged from history, politics and science to exploration and adventure.

Rob and Joanne married in 1984, and in 1985, they made Durango their home. In Durango, he worked at United Bank of Durango for 7 years, and joined Vectra Bank in 1991. After 13 years with Vectra Bank, he retired in 2004.

Rob was a dedicated volunteer for many local organizations. He delivered meals on wheels to homebound seniors, volunteered at the Diabetes Center at Mercy Regional Medical Center, served as an election judge for the La Plata County Clerk’s Office, and was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. In 1995, he co-founded of the Journey of Hope Fund, which has provided free mammograms to women in southwest Colorado since 1996, and launched the Journey of Hope 5k, its signature fundraising event. He helped to organize Journey of Hope 5k since its inception in 1995.

Rob’s was a life well lived. He was a loving husband, a supportive brother and uncle, and a loyal friend. He will long be remembered for his devotion to his wife, his love of the outdoors and his boundless spirit of adventure. He will be sorely missed by his wife of 27 years, Joanne, his brother, Bill Freeman of Pennsylvania, his brother, Steve Freeman of North Carolina, his niece Caitlin Adelson of South Carolina, his nephews, Joshua Freeman of Connecticut and Mark Freeman of Pennsylvania, his stepmother, Betsey Kroesen, stepsister, Kathryn Wilson, and stepbrother, Mike Kinney, all of Florida, and numerous friends in Durango and around the country.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Journey of Hope Fund in care of Mercy Health Foundation, 1010 Three Springs Blvd., Durango, CO 81301. An ice cream social in celebration of Rob’s life will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the St. Columba Parish Center, 1830 E. 2nd Ave., Durango.