Bobby Frese

Robert Bernard Frese Jr. was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on February 12, 1955 and passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 69. Bobby, a devoted husband and an adoring father, bravely battled frontotemporal degeneration. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Bernard Frese, and his mother, Catherine “Kitty” Kelly Frese. He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Elizabeth “Lissy” Scott Frese, of Birmingham, Alabama; his daughter, Sara Elizabeth, of Birmingham, Alabama; his son, Andrew Yates, of Birmingham, Alabama; and his sister, Robin Frese Gellner (David), of Roswell, Georgia.

Bobby spent his childhood in Demopolis, Alabama before graduating from Mountain Brook High School where he wrestled, played football, and was a member of the fraternity Sigma. He attended The University of the South (Sewanee) and graduated from The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama School of Law. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta.

Bobby had a love for literature, language and writing. He helped many writers achieve their dreams of writing books, and his passion for learning and sharing with others was well known. His humor was a true gift – nothing made Bobby happier than making others laugh. He loved his church and had a deep faith in God, helping start the Men’s Group at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Perhaps more than anything, Bobby was passionate about being a dad. He laughed with them, he was present with them, and he let his children know he believed in them. In 1998, Bobby honored his mother’s death by running in the New York City Marathon. This November, his children will honor him by running the New York City Marathon on a charity team for The Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the beautiful ministry of Encore at Canterbury United Methodist Church, his caregivers at Always Best Care, and the hospice nurses of Affinity.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Thursday at 1 pm. Visitation will be beforehand at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that remembrances be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Canterbury United Methodist Church Encore, Center for Executive Leadership or the charity of their choice.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church 2 Xavier Circle Birmingham, AL 35213

Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration 2700 Horizon Dr, Suite 120 King of Prussia, PA 19406

Canterbury United Methodist Church 350 Overbrook Rd Mountain Brook, AL 35213

Center for Executive Leadership 200 Union Hill Dr Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35209