Bill Frey

Bill Frey

December 3, 1943 - August 29, 2024

William Hugh Frey of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2024, with his family at his side. He was 80 years old.

Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Connie Frey; their children, Chris Frey of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Jenny Fowler of El Cerrito, California; his daughter-in-law, Leslie Calhoun, son-in-law, Rich Fowler; grandchildren, Owen, James, Declan, and Lila; siblings, Dave Frey (Esther) of California, Virginia Griffis (David) of Arizona, brother-in-law Jeff of Oregon and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and their families. Bill is predeceased by his parents, Hugh and Dorotha Frey, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and his sister, Jeanne Reaves, of Portland, Oregon.

Bill loved his family, and especially his four grandchildren. He also loved math, bicycling, paddling, sailing, singing, summers at Torch Lake, and always finding the scenic route.

Raised in Indianapolis, Bill graduated from North Central High School in 1961. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1965 and a PhD from Stanford University in applied math engineering, concluding with a memorable postdoc in Belgium.

Bill's love of geometry led him to Detroit, Michigan, and the Math Department at General Motors, where he worked for 32 years. His research focused on developable surfaces, triangulations, and computational geometry, which resulted in mathematical models to represent the stamping of sheet metal in emerging computerized design. He was awarded 2 patents for variable curvature tube and draw die. When later advising his children and grandchildren on career paths, he always stressed the importance of finding work they truly enjoy, like he did.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Bill's adventurous spirit was sparked during his youthful sailing days with his siblings on Walloon Lake in Michigan. His adventures continued when he met his wife, Connie, through the American Youth Hostels in Detroit, bonding over French classes and sailing.

The combination of Bill's love of maps and the outdoors expressed itself in all sorts of unlikely adventures over the years. Practically unheard of in the 1970s and 80s, Bill mastered the best routes to bicycle the 12 miles from their house in Grosse Pointe Farms to his job at the GM Tech Center in Warren. Bill also felt it was "less hassle" to walk his beloved orange canoe, using portable wheels, the mile from their home to Lake Saint Clair. Further adventures followed when he outfitted that same canoe with a hand-made custom sailing rig.

Bill, Connie, Chris, and Jenny frequently traveled to visit relatives across the country in their iconic blue van. They often camped along the way, including at many National Parks. Annual gatherings of family at their cottages in northern Michigan created more opportunities for fun in the water and woods, card-playing, and singing.

Bill and Connie shared their love of the outdoors with their children, grandchildren, and the community. Bill led trainings on Effective Cycling and was a founding member of the League of Michigan Bicyclists. He switched from upright to recumbent bikes and was active with the Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Association.

Bill was proud of the many years that he served as an Assistant Scout Master to Troop 479, teaching essential skills in camping, cycling, and citizenship in the community. Through Scouts, he also taught generations of kids how to tie various practical and sailing knots.

Bill served on the local parks committee to improve the Grosse Pointe Farms Pier Park, a treasured walking spot. Later in life, he combined his love of maps and math with civic engagement by volunteering and making contributions to the state's new nonpartisan redistricting process.

When he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Bill participated in a clinical trial to further knowledge on the treatment of the illness. He greatly appreciated the kind medical doctors, nurses, and staff who supported him on his journey.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held this fall, date and location to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory can be made to the League of Michigan Bicyclists (https://lmb.app.neoncrm.com/forms/in-memory-of-bill-frey) or the Grass River Natural Area (grassriver.org).