Robert Walter Freitag
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Funeral services for Robert Walter Freitag, 89, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 14, 2018 at West Side Presbyterian Church in Lawrence. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. He passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community.
Robert was born September 23, 1928 in Denver, CO, the son of Walter R. and Lilly (Hintz) Freitag.
He was a graduate of Rockmont College in Denver, CO and Lincoln University, Pennsylvania.
He was a minister at the West Side Presbyterian Church in Lawrence and is Pastor Emeritus. He was an active Supply Pastor for Northern Kansas Presbyterian. He had been a minister for 40 years of which four years were in Colorado and 35 years at West Side Church. He was a member of Kaw Valley Blue Bird Association and member and former president of Lawrence Jayhawk Kiwanis. He was a Moderator for Northern Kansas Presbytery and volunteered for the Lawrence Visitor’s Center.
Dad was a lover of the outdoors, especially Rocky Mountain National Park where he hiked all the trails at least once. He passed his love of the outdoors along to his children through month long camping trips during the summers.
He married Charline Warder on August 6, 1950 in Denver, CO. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his daughter, Kat (Patrick) Cooney, Harrisonville, MO; son, Mark R. (Stephanie) Freitag, Wichita, KS; step granddaughter, Jenny; three great grandchildren, Thomas, Kate Lynn, William; and sister-in-law, Ginger (Ervin) Minks. He was preceded in death by his sister, Frances Chandler; sister-in-law, Pat (Phil) Ramer and step-grandson, Joshua Robberson
The family will greet friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2018 at the church.
Memorial Contributions may be made in his name to Medical Benevolent Fund and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Bob was such a positive presence in my life — including being my “boss” when I became organist at West Side Presbyterian Church as a freshman at KU. I was there for nine years and always appreciated not only what I learned from Bob about ministry but also how he and Charline continuously opened their home to our young adults group; in that group we bonded and formed lifelong friendships. Sincere condolences to the family and thanksgiving for the life of Bob Freitag.
I met Bob when he came to candidate for the West Side pastor position. I was a kid who was into dinosaurs and he took time to check out my model stegosaurus skeleton. He was my pastor from then through college and seminary and was serving as Moderator of the presbytery when I was ordained as a pastor myself. Thank you, Bob, for modeling ministry for me, and prayers for your family and all who are missing your wry smile.
Char and Kat, I’m sorry for your loss. I enjoyed visiting with Bob and he will be missed.
Char and Kat, I’m sorry for your loss. I enjoyed visiting with Bob and he will be missed.
Charline & Kat,
I am so sorry for your loss of Bob. What great memories of our time in Colorado together, I will always treasure them. Hope you are able to find peace and comfort during this time.
Thinking of you and Stephanie today. So sorry to hear of your loss.
So deeply sorry for your loss. Robert, Ben, and I found a warm welcome at West Side so many years ago. I learned so much from your example and messages. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.