Robert Ray Friesen

Robert was born along with his twin sister Roberta on August 4, 1939, to Martin and Marie Friesen on a dairy farm southwest of Meade, Kansas. Robert and Roberta were the youngest and joined older twin siblings, Erma and Wilmer, and sisters LaVerna and JoAnn. He attended Pleasant Hill grade school and graduated high school from Meade Bible Academy. He spent a lot of his younger days helping his dad plant wheat, and feeding and milking cows on the farm but still described his childhood as “wonderful”. He noted that he was saved and committed his life to Jesus during a revival in the summer of his 11th year and was baptized shortly thereafter.

Robert attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas for two years before moving to Denver to work in a hospital and be close to JoAnn and LaVerna. In 1964, he moved in with his sister Erma in Dinuba, California. Shortly thereafter, he met Sondra and they got married in 1966 for 19 years. They moved to Fresno and had their first son, Scott, in 1971, followed by their second son, Timmy, in 1974. Timmy passed away in 1978. They built a nice home on 2 1/2 acres in eastern Fresno in 1976 and lived there for 10 years. He had an immaculate yard that he masterfully designed and weeds feared him. He also built a heavy-duty wood splitter and steel trailer during this time that are still being used today.

Robert, known as “Bob” to his California family and friends, primarily worked as a welder and machinist during his career and had long stints with New Holland in Fowler building farm equipment and at Keiser in west Fresno making parts for pneumatic sports equipment. Robert always had a loyal group of friends including his Reedley coffee group, Northwest church singles group, volleyball friends, his group that followed singer, John Pemberton, and friends from the neighborhood. He loved and stayed in touch with his five siblings, brother/sister-in-laws, and extended family and would say that family reunions, particularly in Breckenridge, were highlights of his life.

Bob became a grandpa to Jessica when Scott and Charlene married in 1995 and ironically, twin girls Courtney and Kendra arrived a year later. After 16 years of being “cooped up” in town, Bob returned to his country roots in 2002 after retiring. He lived in a mobile home at the back of Scott and Charlene’s 3 1/2 acre parcel in Sanger with a great view of the property and became the yard master as he helped Scott on many projects and kept the yard in top shape. He looked forward to yard parties, volleyball, and Christmas’s at the house while still maintaining a healthy social life with his numerous friends. He was known affectionately as Uncle Remus for the way family pets would follow him around the property. His last 24 years were spent at the place he wanted to be as he prepared for his eternal home with Jesus. We are now overwhelmingly grateful for the ultimate peace and good health that he has through God’s grace.

Bob was the last survivor from his immediate family mentioned above and survived by brother-in- law's, Al Isaac and Willis Hamm, son and daughter-in-law Scott and Charlene Friesen, grandchildren Jessica (Daniel) Prado, Courtney (Dillon) Wasserman, and Kendra Friesen, and great-grandchildren Aliyla, Liam, Riley, and Caleb.

A Celebration of Life (avoid wearing black) will be held for Bob at New Covenant Community Church in Fresno at 10 am on March 24th. A reception will be held at 12 pm at his home at 3860 N Madsen Ave. in Sanger after the ceremony and a lunch will be served. Remembrances can be provided in the form of a sun-tolerant plant or flowers that we will plant in his beloved flower garden leading up to his house. Bring your best Bob story!