Robert "Pop" Frey

Born July 26, 1923, the fifth child to Edward and Rita Frey of Catonsville, Md. During the depression the family gave dance instruction in their home on Friday evenings to make ends meet. It was during one of these evenings he met his future wife Charlotte Conaway. They married in 1949.

He, along with his three brothers and one sister served during WW II and all returned home safely. After the War he completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland. Following graduation he joined the C M Kemp Mfg Co. eventually serving as Vice President of International Sales and Marketing. After 40 years with C M Kemp he retired and started his own consulting firm, traveling the world setting up manufacturing representative firms for US companies abroad and creating friendships around the world.

He retired again and became a volunteer teacher in industrial arts for more than a decade at Catonsville Middle School. He received a Governors Citation and a Meritorious Service Award from the Teachers Association of Baltimore County for his work. While volunteer teaching he also developed his wood turning skills, producing thousands of bowls which were sold in various specialty shops throughout Maryland. His bowls received 1st place ribbons annually at the MD State Fair and he was one of the few wood turners given wood from the famed Wye Oak.

An avid sailor, the family spent summers on the Magothy River at the Grachur Club where he was a past president. He was also a past Commodore of the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake and past member of the Annapolis Yacht Club. He was affectionately known as “Pop” Frey by many. In particular the SCC kids for running dingy races around the anchored fleet while their parents enjoyed the early evening. This was followed at the end of the annual cruise week with a hand turned ice cream party for all aboard the family Cal 29 “Freyja”.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Edward, Donald and David; his sister Rita Berry and his beloved wife Charlotte n’ee Conaway. He is survived by sons Bobby, John and wife Loraine and daughter Karen and husband John Mcgillen, 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and his friend, Shirley Hall.

Pop Frey touched the lives of many, and will be dearly missed by family and friends. The family will greet friends at Catonsville United Methodist Church at 10:00 AM on January 3, 2015 followed by a memorial service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Grachur Club CIP or Catonsville United Methodist Church.