Obituary of Robert Bruce Freed

Robert Bruce (Bruce) Freed, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 in London, Ontario. He was an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Western University in London, where he taught philosophies of language & mind and epistemology from 1972 to 2003. Bruce’s passing came just a few months after that of his beloved wife of 52 years, Anne Freed (nee Beckmann). Bruce was born on January 24, 1937 in Devils Lake, North Dakota to the late Palmer Otto Freed and Marjorie Maud Freed (nee Oke). Bruce and his siblings, Marcia and Paul, tragically lost their parents when Bruce was just 12. Bruce and Marcia were then cared for by relatives and later by their older brother Paul, joining him in Switzerland where Paul studied classical piano. In spite of early challenges, Bruce went on to have a distinguished academic career, earning a scholarship to study mathematics at Kenyon College in Ohio and graduating with a Bphil in Philosophy from Oxford University in 1961 and a PhD in Philosophy from University of California – Berkeley in 1965. Bruce’s first teaching job after completing his education was at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Bruce and his wife Anne moved to Canada in 1972 when Bruce began teaching at Western University. Bruce and Anne shared a love of animals and the countryside and they decided to make their home on a farm near Embro, Ontario, where they lived together for over 50 years. Bruce was known for his lively intellect and whimsical sense of humor. When he wasn’t teaching, Bruce enjoyed playing bridge, discussing politics and philosophy, taking long walks, and caring for the many animals Bruce and Anne raised over the years. Bruce is survived by his daughters from a previous marriage, Lesley Freed of Wilmington, Delaware, Bridget Freed of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Nora Arkonovich of Portland, Oregon; by his grandchildren, Cody Sukosky, Susie Woodland, Devin Freed, Anna Arkonovich and Ben Arkonovich; and by one great-granddaughter, Lila Woodland. The family will hold a private interment in Hampden, North Dakota.