Freeman, Robert 'Bob' J.

Robert “Bob” J. Freeman, 58, of Iowa City and Riverside, died peacefully at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, surrounded by his family. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, March 21, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Iowa City, with the Rev. John Spiegel officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, where a parish vigil service will be held at 7 p.m.

Bob was born Sept. 16, 1952, in Carroll, Iowa, the son of Floyd and Marcella (Bradley) Freeman. He was raised in Sac City, where he graduated from high school. He played baseball in high school and college. Bob was a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and received his master's degree in social work from the University of Iowa. On Dec. 29, 1973, Bob married Evonne Higgins in Rockwell City.

While living and working as a school social worker for the Area Education Agency in Sioux City, Bob was instrumental in helping to establish the area's Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Bob and his wife moved to Iowa City in 1981. He was a social worker, and later supervisor, with the UI Center for Disabilities and Development. Bob transferred to the Continuity of Care Program at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where he served as a care coordinator with UI Children's Hospital.

He had recently received his 30-year service certificate with the University of Iowa. Bob was the first recipient of the Bill Sackter Day Alumni Award in recognition of his outstanding work with people with disabilities. For several years Bob taught a class at the UI School of Social Work about helping people with a disability and their families. During his years at CDD and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Bob served as a teacher and mentor for many social work students and staff members.

Bob was an avid golfer and enjoyed Cardinal baseball and Hawkeye sports. He loved working with children and had helped coach Little League Baseball and Kickers soccer teams.

His sense of humor, engaging smile and infectious laughter demonstrated his positive and outgoing personality. Most important in Bob's life was his family and his passion for serving others.

Bob is survived by his wife, Evonne; their two children, Brad Freeman and friend Abby Menke of Austin, Texas and Katie (Josh) Wheeler of West Des Moines; his siblings, Jim (Barbara) Freeman of Madison, Wis., and Patti Hucka of Cedar Falls; mother-in-law, Lois Higgins of Lakewood, Colo.; sister-in-law, Elaine (Larry) Conley of Bakersfield, Calif.; brother-in-law, Sherman (Pam) Higgins of Morrison, Colo.; and nieces and nephews, Chris, Jeff (DeDe), Anne (Brian), Beth (Mike), Michelle (Ryan), Patrick (Suzette), Laurel (Eugene), Kristin (Rich) and Amanda.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Matthew; his father-in-law, Sherman; and his nephew, Greg.

In lieu of flowers, the Bob Freeman Memorial Fund has been established.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at