Robert Oliver Friedel (Bob), born in
Corona, New York in 1936, and a resident of
Richmond, VA for 46 years, died Sunday, September 24, 2023, surrounded by his family at home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, August William Friedel and Denise Genevieve D'Aoust, his brother James William Friedel, and his sister D. Denise Friedel Roswell.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Susanne Weber Friedel; his sister Beatrice Lynn Friedel Bird (Rodney); his brother Collins Richard Friedel (Karen); his son Scott Kilbourne Friedel (Deanna); and his daughters Christine Friedel Hamlett (Keith), Karin Friedel (Bill Elgin), and Linda Friedel Cox (Mark).
Bob was a devoted grandfather to eight grandchildren: Maria Hamlett Black (Matthew), Christian Edward Hamlett (Courtney), Anna Nicole Hamlett, Blane Williams Friedel (Nicole Snyder), Parker Shawn Friedel, Mai Oliver Friedel, Cody Alan Cox and Logan Davis Cox. He had five great-grandchildren he adored: Ke'sean Black, Alaina Friedel, Nathan Black, Oliver Friedel and Campbell Hamlett.
He received a Bachelor of Science and Medical Degree from Duke University where he also completed his Internship in Medicine and Residency in Psychiatry. He served as an officer in the Public Health Service at the National Institute of Health as a research fellow.
Bob was committed to helping people. In that capacity, he served as the Professor and Chairman of the departments of psychiatry at the Medical College of Virginia, the University of Michigan, and the University of Alabama Birmingham, where he treated patients and taught medical students. He also served as the Senior Executive Vice President, Director of Clinical Services and Research at the former Charter Medical Corporation. He authored two books, was the co-author of several other books and contributed to numerous professional journals. He also treated patients at the Family Institute of Virginia and Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services for many years.
In his leisure time, Bob was a lifelong golfer, an activity he enjoyed with many friends, his children, and grandchildren. He was also an avid reader of many subjects. Nothing brought him more pleasure however, than spending time with the family and friends he loved so dearly.
The family will receive visitors at Bliley's Funeral home, located at 6900 Hull Street Rd., Richmond VA on the evening of Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 6-8 pm. Services will be held at the Church of the Epiphany, 11000 Smoketree Dr., North Chesterfield, VA on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 11:30 am. His burial and final commitment will be at Dale Memorial Park located at 10201 Newbys Bridge Rd., Chesterfield, VA following the service at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation at www.bbrfoundation.org where 100% of donations are invested in their research grants.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert "Bob", please visit our floral store.