Robert J. Freiler

POTTSVILLE- Robert "Bob" J. Freiler, 87, of Pottsville, passed away Saturday at West Reading Hospital. Born in Pottsville on October 10, 1921, he was a son of the late Joseph and Elsie Bierman Freiler. Mr. Freiler was a 1939 graduate of Pottsville High School. He attended the University of Georgia, where he was a mathematics major until he was drafted by the Army during World War II. He was a Corporal in the Army having served in the 10th Armored Tiger Division during World War II. He fought in the "Battle of the Bulge" and helped liberate concentration camps in Germany. He received three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. Mr. Freiler's career with the Child Nutrition Programs spans six decades. He served as director for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Government Donated Food for 12 years beginning in 1959. In September 1971, he joined USDA and served first as the Assistant to the Food Distribution Division Director in Washington, D.C. and then in 1972 until 2004 as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for the Special Nutrition Programs. Under Mr. Freiler's leadership, Pennsylvania was the first State Distributing Agency to enter into a processing contract for the National School Lunch Program, earning him the unofficial title of "Father of the State Processing Program." Participation in this program has given schools access to a broader selection of nutritionally sound, well-accepted meal items, while keeping labor costs to a minimum. Since Mr. Freiler's initial contract, the program has grown to approximately $1 billion worth of USDA commodities made available to schools. Mr. Freiler also played a key role in introducing the service of fresh, fluid milk in Puerto Rico's National School Lunch Program. He negotiated an agreement with the Puerto Rico Milk Industry to absorb the $1.8 million cost of purchasing 1500 milk coolers for donation to island schools, to invest in new packaging equipment, to purchase new refrigerated trucks, and to arrange adequate delivery routes. As a result, fresh, fluid milk is now available on a daily basis to almost 80,000 children in 2800 schools Islandwide. In 2004, the national School Nutrition Association honored Mr. Freiler for his lifetime career achievements by awarding him the highly prestigious Silver Friend of Child Nutrition Award for Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence.(FAME) Mr. Freiler was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Pottsville. He was a past Exaulted Ruler for the former B.P.O. Elks, Pottsville. He was a PIAA High School Boys Basketball official having officiated in several State Championship games at the Penn Pallestra. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan M. Eagan Freiler, who passed away April 14, 1994; his two daughters, Patricia Freiler, who passed away in 1958 and Donna Frelier, who passed away in 2000; his sister, Arlene Goodman; his brother, Leslie Freiler. Bob is survived by his two daughters, Debra J. Moran, wife of Edward, and Joann Hock, wife of Robert, both of Pottsville; his son, David J. Freiler, at home; his 7 grandchildren, Tommy Moran, Willy Hock, husband of Sara, Jacque Strohl, wife of Dave, Seth Thomas, Evan, Molly and Sam Freiler; a great grandson, Nathen Hock; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday morning at 10:00 A.M. at Schlitzer-Allen-Pugh Funeral Home, Inc., 6th & West Market Streets, Pottsville. Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. and also on Thursday morning from 9:00 A.M. until time of service at the Funeral Home. Interment with Military Honors will be held in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. The family would like memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice in Bob's memory. Schlitzer-Allen-Pugh Funeral Home, Inc., Pottsville is in charge of arrangements.