Roger D. “Bud” Freeman
January 17, 1933 – August 31, 2023
He was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Sandra, and his son, Roger, Jr., who was a State Senator. Sandra often said of Roger, “athletics was his best subject.” Roger became a member of the YMCA in the year of 1948, where he spent 65 years playing handball. He attended the High School of Commerce in his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts and dabbled in Commercial Law. Often when asked why he left Boston, he would say he left for a woman from Omaha. Walking the streets of Boston was his favorite past time. Some of his favorite sites to visit were the Charles River, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University.
Roger was an Air Force Veteran in the Korean Conflict and was stationed in France and Germany. He was also a long time Omaha Public Schools employee, retiring in 2007. Roger was loved and cherished in his neighborhood and local community. He attended First United Methodist Church, where he sat in the first row every Sunday.
Roger is survived by brothers: Phil, Steve, and Reese; sister, Roslyn; son, Greg; daughter, Kristi; daughters-in-law, Vicky, and Sonya; grandchildren: Isaiah, Ayana, Jennifer, Eric, Allison (Aaron), James (Autumn), Heather, and Lola; great-grandchildren: Melody, Rosalie, and John. Roger wants to thank his very very special friends: Janice, Lisa, Hank, Rose, Pastor Liz, and her husband, Gary, for everything.
Visitation: Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road. Funeral Service: Friday, September 8, 2023, 10:30 A.M. at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., Omaha, NE. Interment with Military Rites: Evergreen Memorial Park.
5 Comments
I’m truly moved to hear of Roger’s passing . I met him as an OPS transportation driver.. I then met him years later at the downtown YMCA & at Dewy tennis courts. Roger was wonderful, wise ,& introspective man. I wished I didn’t loose touch the last several yrs. He was always a great listener & helpful especially to folks that needed to be helped . I stopped by the house the last couple of years to try and catch him but was not lucky enough . My condolences go out to the family & friends ,we’ve lost a good one ❤️
My thoughts are with the family. I knew Roger from the Downtown YMCA; so many members there valued him. He helped teach me racquetball. I highly respected him for his many strengths—sports, helpfulness to others, etc. He was a very important person at that YMCA;; many members benefited because of his assistance.
My thoughts are with the family. I knew Roger from the Downtown YMCA; so many members there valued him. He helped teach me racquetball. I highly respected him for his many strengths—sports, helpfulness to others, etc.
Indeed, we’ve lost a good one. A really great man who was a mentor and coach to me and many others in volleyball, squash, racquetball, tennis, etc. You name it and he could do it, or steer you in the right direction to get you involved, and become a better athlete. Roger gave me the gift of time on the courts, and one of the most kind, caring, and generous people I have ever met. I will miss our many long and interesting conversations. A truly amazing person. I miss him tremendously and always will. Heaven’s gain is our huge loss. RIP my great friend. 🙁 🙁
Thoughts and prayers 🙏🙏🙏
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