Robert Freeman Obituary

Robert A. Freeman, husband of interim county manager Joanne Spina, died from a rare and aggressive cancer called merkel cell carcinoma Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, in La Plata County. He was 66.

Known as "Rob," he was born Dec. 15, 1944, to C.A. Freeman and Mary Halstead in Washington, D.C. Mr. Freeman grew up in Cheverly, Md., and attended Bladensberg High School, Prince Georges County Community College and the University of Maryland.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965 and was medically discharged that same year after a serious injury.

Mr. Freeman worked for C&P Telephone Co. in the 1960s and, at that time, was the youngest person ever to serve on the White House "test desk," a problem-solving and trouble-shooting position. He became a carpenter in 1970 and built houses for 14 years.

Mr. Freeman met his future wife, Joanne Spina, in Washington, D.C., in 1975, and they moved to Colorado together in 1980.

The couple married in 1984, and in 1985, they moved to Durango. Mr. Freeman worked at United Bank of Durango for seven years and joined Vectra Bank in 1991. After 13 years with Vectra Bank, he retired in 2004.

Mr. Freeman was an avid outdoorsman. In 1982, he and his future wife backpacked, climbed and hiked their way through the western U.S. and Alaska as well as British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada. Mr. Freeman climbed Mount Whitney in California, the Grand Teton in Wyoming, Popocatepetl and Pico de Orizaba in Mexico and two dozen fourteeners in Colorado. He most enjoyed hiking in the desert.

When he was 50, Mr. Freeman taught himself to sea kayak, exploring the coasts of Alaska, Maine, Oregon, Florida, South Carolina, the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia and the Everglades. He enjoyed multiday kayaking excursions on Lake Powell.

His family said Mr. Freeman was a gifted photographer and prolific reader.

He delivered Meals on Wheels, volunteered at the Diabetes Center at Mercy Regional Medical Center, served as an election judge for the La Plata County Clerk's Office and was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.

In 1995, Mr. Freeman co-founded the Journey of Hope Fund, which has provided free mammograms to women who cannot afford them in Southwest Colorado since 1996, He had helped organize the Journey of Hope 5-kilometer run/walk, its signature fundraising event, since 1995.

"Rob's was a life well-lived," his family said. "He will long be remembered for his devotion to his wife, his love of the outdoors and his boundless spirit of adventure."

Mr. Freeman is survived by his wife of 27 years, Joanne Spina, of Durango; brothers Bill Freeman of Pennsylvania and Steve Freeman of North Carolina; stepmother, Betsey Kroesen, of Florida; stepsister, Kathryn Wilson, and stepbrother, Mike Kinney, both of Florida; and one niece and two nephews.

A celebration of life ice cream social will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at the St. Columba Parish Center, 1830 East Second Ave.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Journey of Hope Fund, c/o Mercy Health Foundation, 1010 Three Springs Blvd., Durango, CO 81301.