"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. "