"I did not know Bob personally, but I used to work at a cafe where one of his coffee clubs met, and I went to school with his granddaughter. Ames has much to thank because of Bob. It was the neighborhoods he developed that kept many home builders in the area employed, which in turn provided a construction job for myself during two summers I attended ISU. Thank you for all you gave to your country and community Bob. We need more great Americans like you."
In loving memory of
Robert Kurt Friedrich Sr. (Bob Sr.)
April 25, 1923 - July 25, 2010
Robert Kurt Friedrich Sr. (Bob Sr.) age 87, of Ames, died Sunday, July 25, 2010 at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. Visitation and Gathering of Friends will be 4:00 -- 7:00 PM with the family present 5:00 -- 7:00 PM Thursday, July 29th at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Friday, July 30, at St. Paul Lutheran Church 610 15th Street in Ames. Burial will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Bob Sr. was born April 25th 1923, in Niederbobritzsch, Germany the son of Reinhard and Wella (Fritzsche) Friedrich, coming to the United States through Ellis Island with his mother at the age of two to join his father and their family sponsor, Fred Fischer. In 1925 Reinhard started Friedrich Construction. Bob Sr. graduated from Ames High School in 1941, and entered Iowa State University and while there he was profiled as an Enemy Alien. To correct that situation Bob enlisted in the US Army and served in the 402nd Combat Engineering battalion going to Oran North Africa and on to Italy serving from 1943 to 1946. Returning to Ames Bob Sr. married Dorothy Mueller in 1946 and she preceded him in death in 1982. He married Betty Wilson an Ames High classmate in 1986, and she preceded him in death in 2007. Bob was a professional builder being involved in masonry, carpentry, and finish work. He used his Architectural Engineering training for home designs. He also had his Real Estate Broker's license. Bob was proud that his parents donated the property for St. Paul Lutheran Church and was a Charter Member of St. Paul Lutheran Church serving on boards and active in worship. He was involved with National Home Builders Association, attending National meetings and getting NAHB established in Ames by being the first President in 1957. He was the first treasurer in Iowa Home Builders Association, and elected as President in 1968. In 1968 he was elected to Vice President of NAHB serving Area 10. He was involved with many subdivisions in the Ames area which included; Edgewood Terrace, Parkview Heights, Northridge, Somerset, and Northridge Heights just to name a few. He was a 50 year member of Ames Golf and Country Club, member of the Rotary Club of Ames, and received the Ames Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year, with his brother Reiny in 2001. Bob's love of golf included following Arnold Palmer and Zack Johnson. He was an avid Cyclone fan, and loved football and basketball. Bob loved building, playing golf, his coffee groups with his many friends, and his passion for his Minnesota cabin.
He is survived by sons, Bob Friedrich Jr. of Ames, and William,(Bill and Mary) Friedrich of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Richelle (Jason) Hall of Orlando, FL, Heidi Friedrich of Overland Park, KS; James Friedrich, Julie (Brian) Turner, and Jill Friedrich, all of Las Vegas, NV; great grandchildren, Cooper and Parker Turner; brother Reiny (Maureen) Friedrich of Ames, and brothers in-law Martin Mueller, Dick (Lennie) Mueller, and sister in law Mary Honsinger.
In lieu of Flowers: Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church 610 15th Street Ames, Iowa 50010.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care are assisting the family.
Tributes
"The Copple family wishes to extend there condolences to the Friedrich family. Bob Senior will be missed by all."
"Bob and Bill, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Bob was a good man and friend and it has been an honor and privilege to have known and worked with him. He will be greatly missed in the Ames community and by all that knew him. "
"Our prayers go out to the Friedrich family. We are keeping you in our thoughts. "
"Bob Senior... that name has meant so much to so many in Ames and central Iowa for many years. Bob was one of the most truly fun-loving, positive, forgiving, and generous men I have ever known. And he loved the lake! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family now. We all traveled through the turbulent years, and may you rest in peace now, kind man. "
"I had the pleasure of serving on various boards and committees with Bob Sr., and also of enjoying his friendship. He was a friend to everyone, concerned, generous, and the epitome of the servant leader. What a life to celebrate. My condolences are with his wonderful family; my fond memories are with Bob Sr."
"Bob Jr. all of the Family, What a terrific, Guy. Bob was always so kind. He was a friend,A good Iowan.I am proud to have known Bob. Always pleasant,an honorable guy.I will discribe, Bob the same way I discribe Zach Johnson, an his Mom an Dad.. Bob you are "Iowa Nice"!! that is a great way to live to be a testimony, to those who think they are too special. Bob was Always "Iowa Nice" to everyone.The President of the Masters, Loved Zach, because he was so nice,So accomidating.Bob Thanks, for all you did for Iowa HBA, an NAHB,God Bless,I know you are in the Builder section of Heaven,visiting with everyone,everyone, sizing up a remodel job!! "
"The Home Builders Association of Greater Siouxland wishes to express our deepest sympathy to Bob Sr.'s family and friends. He was an inspiration to many of us. We will keep the family in our prayers."
"I only knew Bob for a year. He was one of the kindest and most generous persons I have ever met. Every time he walked through the door at work my day would brighten, because he was always in a good mood and full of smiles. People would come in and tell me stories of the kind acts he did for them when they were down and needed help. Thanks Bob, for being in my life for a brief while, I will always remember you. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family!"
"Working with and getting to know Bob for the last 20 years I can describe as a being a deeply rewarding and pleasurable experience. Bob was open and friendly from the onset, and I can not remember him ever being otherwise. He had a big heart. Always very generous with whatever he had to give. Always remembering to thank the Lord for all he had. He will be missed by all who knew him."
"All of my thoughts and prayers are with Bob Jr. and the family now. Bob Sr. was a lovely man that I enjoyed knowing!"
"My late Mom, Alice Tungesvik, cleaned Bob & Dorothy's home for 25 years plus; so I got to meet them both back 35+ years ago. They were always very kind and "common like an old shoe" in spite of their wealth! Bob was in our diabetes support group, and I got to visit him on a regular basis. Ames has lost a prominent force in the building contractor work as he was a large charity contributor to various groups in Ames. The extended Friedrich family has lost a very loving Dad, grandpa, great grandpa, and brother, etc. I loved to hear Bob laugh and he had such a beautiful smile. May you rest in peace Bob with both wives. I'll never forget you; Mom would bring you her homemade Norwegian kringla and brownies. When you're missing Bob, get out videos of him hearing his voice/laughter and watching his gestures/mannerisms. It truly helps. Look also for the many pennies Bob will be placing for each of you to find."