Obituary for Robert L. Fredieu
Robert Lawrence Fredieu, 64, of Arlington, MA passed away peacefully at home on September 1, 2021, after battling pancreatic cancer, which he faced with dignity, grace, and courage. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, he was the beloved son Janice (Van Hook) Fredieu and the late Robert L. Fredieu.
Robert is survived by his loving wife of 35 years Rosemary Schulze, his mother Janice, his brother John Randal Fredieu (Mary Brigid Sweeney), his sister Barbara Romanowsky, and his uncle James Van Hook (Carol). In addition, he is survived by his niece Emma Fredieu (Sean Weathersby), nephews Paul Fredieu (Christina Gademer), Zachary Romanowsky (Lindsey Fussell), and Daniel Romanowsky; his in-laws Harry and Jane Schulze, brother-in-law Jon Schulze, nieces Lindsay and Elesha Schulze, and sister-in-law Laurie Schulze, as well as many close relatives and dear friends.
Raised in Shreveport, Robert came to Boston to attend MIT, graduating in 1979 with degrees in physics and electrical engineering. Robert had a distinguished career in the computer design field, primarily as a verification architect in ASIC design. He enjoyed the atmosphere at start-up companies and consulted at over 25 technology companies over the years. He was also a co-founder of several companies, including ASIC Alliance, which became Zaiq Technologies, and Assertive Design. Throughout his career he was known as a great listener, team player and for his willingness to help others.
Inquisitive and curious by nature, Robert enjoyed many interests, including foreign culture, history, art, antiques, music, gardening, good food, fine wines and scotch. A long-time resident of Arlington, he developed an interest in the town’s history and preservation efforts and was a past president of the Arlington Historical Society. He loved the character of old houses and one of his favorite accomplishments in life involved moving an 1840’s Greek Revival house that was scheduled for demolition from one neighborhood of Arlington to another, in order to preserve and restore the home, a project that took several years; he liked to refer to it as the ultimate recycling effort. He and Rosemary loved travel and enjoyed exploring neighborhoods off the beaten path. Robert had great compassion for animals, with a particular soft spot for dogs and turtles, and he was a frequent rescuer of injured wildlife, despite personal risks such as driving down Route 2 with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on a squirming baby raccoon. He relished the outdoors and a long walk with Rosemary was a favorite part of their daily routine for decades. Robert never lost his passion for physics, and in the past few years he conducted many of his own physics experiments which he was in the process of documenting at the time of his passing.
He had a subtle sense of humor that was very endearing, often understated, and sometimes had to be explained to his wife. Most of all Robert will be remembered as kind, thoughtful, and compassionate, and someone who never hesitated to give others his time and energy. In a speech that he wrote for the Memorial Day ceremony at Prince Hall cemetery in 2008, Robert said, “Maybe in a hundred years we will all be forgotten. But if not then let us hope to be remembered as good people…”. Robert will truly be remembered in the way that he hoped; he was a lovely man and will be forever missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him.
All services will be private. In lieu of flowers the family requests that people please consider making a donation in Robert’s memory to the charity of their choice.
Robert is survived by his loving wife of 35 years Rosemary Schulze, his mother Janice, his brother John Randal Fredieu (Mary Brigid Sweeney), his sister Barbara Romanowsky, and his uncle James Van Hook (Carol). In addition, he is survived by his niece Emma Fredieu (Sean Weathersby), nephews Paul Fredieu (Christina Gademer), Zachary Romanowsky (Lindsey Fussell), and Daniel Romanowsky; his in-laws Harry and Jane Schulze, brother-in-law Jon Schulze, nieces Lindsay and Elesha Schulze, and sister-in-law Laurie Schulze, as well as many close relatives and dear friends.
Raised in Shreveport, Robert came to Boston to attend MIT, graduating in 1979 with degrees in physics and electrical engineering. Robert had a distinguished career in the computer design field, primarily as a verification architect in ASIC design. He enjoyed the atmosphere at start-up companies and consulted at over 25 technology companies over the years. He was also a co-founder of several companies, including ASIC Alliance, which became Zaiq Technologies, and Assertive Design. Throughout his career he was known as a great listener, team player and for his willingness to help others.
Inquisitive and curious by nature, Robert enjoyed many interests, including foreign culture, history, art, antiques, music, gardening, good food, fine wines and scotch. A long-time resident of Arlington, he developed an interest in the town’s history and preservation efforts and was a past president of the Arlington Historical Society. He loved the character of old houses and one of his favorite accomplishments in life involved moving an 1840’s Greek Revival house that was scheduled for demolition from one neighborhood of Arlington to another, in order to preserve and restore the home, a project that took several years; he liked to refer to it as the ultimate recycling effort. He and Rosemary loved travel and enjoyed exploring neighborhoods off the beaten path. Robert had great compassion for animals, with a particular soft spot for dogs and turtles, and he was a frequent rescuer of injured wildlife, despite personal risks such as driving down Route 2 with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on a squirming baby raccoon. He relished the outdoors and a long walk with Rosemary was a favorite part of their daily routine for decades. Robert never lost his passion for physics, and in the past few years he conducted many of his own physics experiments which he was in the process of documenting at the time of his passing.
He had a subtle sense of humor that was very endearing, often understated, and sometimes had to be explained to his wife. Most of all Robert will be remembered as kind, thoughtful, and compassionate, and someone who never hesitated to give others his time and energy. In a speech that he wrote for the Memorial Day ceremony at Prince Hall cemetery in 2008, Robert said, “Maybe in a hundred years we will all be forgotten. But if not then let us hope to be remembered as good people…”. Robert will truly be remembered in the way that he hoped; he was a lovely man and will be forever missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him.
All services will be private. In lieu of flowers the family requests that people please consider making a donation in Robert’s memory to the charity of their choice.