Robert Prentiss Frese

Rob Frese died peacefully surrounded by his family on May 3, 2025. He had been diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease a decade prior. Rob was the loving husband of Gail LaMontagne Frese for 36 years. He was the proud and adoring father to Robby (Hillary), Jenny, and Emily, and Poppy to grandchildren Nora and Robert III (Trip) Frese.

Born in Mount Kisco, NY, to Elizabeth Butler Frese and Calvin Warren Frese, he spent his childhood and adolescence in Barrington and Jamestown, Rhode Island, which left him with fond memories of sailing on Narragansett Bay and an enduring love of the Ocean State. Rob graduated in 1979 from Bishop Hendricken High School, where his tenure in the marching band included playing the saxophone in Jimmy Carter’s inaugural parade.

Rob brought his love of music to St. Lawrence University, quickly making friends who were astute enough to appreciate his complete set of Neil Young albums. He graduated with honors in 1983. It was at St. Lawrence that he and Gail met and fell in love, and where they formed deep and lasting friendships. Throughout Rob’s life, these friendships served as the hub around which family vacations (to Canaras and elsewhere) and major life events were built. One of Rob’s most profound gifts to his children was instilling the importance of nurturing their own lifelong relationships.

Rob graduated with an MS in Accounting from NYU Stern School of Business and began a career in public accounting. He later transitioned to corporate finance and spent the majority of his career with BBA Aviation and Danaher as a divisional CFO. Among his many passions was a love of skiing, which all of his children inherited. A high point on the calendar was the annual family ski vacation for which he prepared months in advance: walking around the house in ski boots, doing squats on the back porch, and overseeing the all-family ski gear try-on. For Rob, the preparation brought as much joy as the trip itself. He also welcomed a spirited debate- your agreement with him was rarely important, though passionate discussion was always appreciated.

As his disease progressed, Gail worked tirelessly to ensure that Rob continued to experience the things that gave him joy throughout his life as long as he was able, often marshaling friends and family to participate in camping in the Bambi, ski trips east and west, seeing live shows, vacations near the ocean, and spending time with those who loved him.

In addition to his immediate family, Rob is survived by his siblings Lynda Frese, Cal (Sally) Frese, and Catherine (Richard) Ian-Frese, his sister-in-law Amy (John) Macbeth, brother-in-law John (Mary Anne) LaMontagne, and several nieces, nephews and cousins whom he adored. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Lynn (Kurt) Schumann.

A service will be held at St. Mary Margaret Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida, on Saturday, May 10th. In place of flowers, donations in his memory would be welcomed to the St. Lawrence University Scholarship Fund and Lorenzo’s House, an organization dedicated to helping families affected by younger-onset dementia.