Mr. Herbert Lawrence Freye's Obituary
Herbert Lawrence Freye, 76, of Roanoke, VA, (formerly of Norton Shores, MI) peacefully departed this life on December 9, 2016.
Born December 31, 1939, Herb was a native of Muskegon, MI. He graduated from Creston High School, Grand Rapids, MI, in 1958. He received his B.A. in Pre-Legal Studies in 1962 and his M.A. in Public Administration in 1964, both from the University of Michigan. He was enrolled in and received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy Air Officer Candidate Program in 1964. Herb spent his entire professional life in public service, having served as Deputy City Manager of Traverse City, MI; Assistant City Manager of Battle Creek, MI; Assistant City Manager of Bloomington, MN; and City Manager of Norton Shores, MI, the position he held when he retired in 1997.
Herb was passionate about Naval Aviation and the Fire Service. Although a motorcycle accident cut short his own career as a Naval Aviator, he remained a lifelong student of naval history and was immensely proud of the Naval career of his younger brother, Dan. During Herb’s tenure as Assistant City Manager of Bloomington, MN, he served as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Bloomington Fire Department as tillerman of Station No. 1’s hook and ladder truck. In Norton Shores, Herb worked closely with both the Police and Fire Departments on an initiative to modernize the 911 dispatch emergency response system.
Herb was a dedicated family man, with an appetite for life, especially dessert. His motto was “Life is short; eat dessert first.” He was a huge fan of homemade pie at Russ’s after city council meetings, and on summer weekends, he often took the family down to the lake for ice cream at Frosty Cove or to the Whippi Dip. His quick wit and sunny outlook will be greatly missed.
He was predeceased by his parents, Louis H. Freye and Alice Mysen Zimmerman; stepfather, Richard S. Zimmerman; stepmother, Betty Freye; and sister, Carol A. Bartrand. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Suzanne Bachman Freye; brothers, Robert Karl Freye (Jean) and Daniel Louis Freye (Gloria); sisters-in-law, Mary Thompson (Bill) and Joan Atwell; daughters, Karen Diane Ellexson and Kristin Laura Freye Benson; son-in-law, Thomas Ellexson; beloved grandchildren, Sarah Fleener and Rylan Ellexson; and cherished nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Monday, December 12, from 6- 8 pm at Simpson Funeral home, Roanoke
Virginia. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2016, at 11:00 AM at The Lee Chapel 6291 S. Harvey St. 231-798-1100
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