Robert S. Freeman

Robert S. Freeman, 77, of West Hartford, died peacefully on December 12 with his family by his side. Born June 26, 1941 in Omaha, NE, he was predeceased by his wife Beverly, his parents William and Ellen, his brother Charles, and his nephew Eric Johnson. Bob attended Omaha public schools and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from North Park College in Chicago, IL. He served in the army from 1964-1967, stationed at Dugway Proving Ground, UT, and Fort Greely, AK. On a college tour of Europe in the summer of 1968, he met and fell in love with Beverly Swanson of Attleboro, MA. The two were married in October 1969 and spent the first years of their life together in Chicago, where Bob worked as a programmer for BTL Insurance Company before starting a family. In 1977 they moved to West Hartford where they raised their four children. Though his career as a programmer in the insurance industry spanned many decades at Aetna and The Hartford, his true vocation was that of husband and father. His proudest accomplishment was his family, and the title he cherished most was “Grandpa Bob.”

Along with his wife and best friend Bev, Bob was an active member of Bethany Covenant Church for many years, where he sang in the choir and volunteered teaching preschool. As a lifelong amateur photographer, Bob had an eye for catching candid moments of joy. Whether from behind a lens or across a dinner table, Bob was passionate about capturing people’s stories, and making sure everyone’s voice was heard.

Robert is survived by his children Greg (Laura) of West Hartford, CT; Lis Hood of Manchester, NH; Sarah Daigle (Eric) of Wethersfield, CT; and Andrew (Erik) of Chicago, IL; grandchildren Brian and David Hood; Daniel, James and Emily Freeman; and Alexander, Hannah, and Emmett Daigle; brother Bill (Dorothy) of Omaha, NE; sister Norma Johnson of Indianapolis, IN; sister Marilyn Green (Chuck) of St. Paul, MN; sister-in-law Carolyn Manlove (Vic) of Warren, RI; and by many nephews, nieces, and friends.


Visitation will be on Friday, January 11 from 4-6pm at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 S Main St, New Britain. A memorial service will be held at Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill Street, Berlin, on Saturday January 12 at 11am, followed by a reception . In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Amyloidosis Foundation (amyloidosis.org/act) and to PFLAG (pflag.org/give).