Ret, Lt. Col. Robert "Bob" Fremd

October 6, 1937 to September 7, 2022 Ret. Lt. Col. Robert "Bob" William Fremd, age 84, of Yuba City CA, passed away peacefully at his home in the early afternoon on September 7, 2022. Bob was born in Palatine, Illinois to William and Edith (Baumann) Fremd on October 6, 1937. He grew up on a dairy farm and would always tell us the hardship of milking cows when the power went out. After High School, he attended Illinois State University at Normal for a number of semesters. He then joined the United States Air Force went to basic training then onto Officers Training School becoming a navigator. Finishing school at Mather AFB in Sacramento he met and married the love of his life Sandra L. Frye from Yuba City CA, on December 31, 1960 as he was shipping out to England to fly in the RB-66. He spent 4 years in England. Upon his return to Mather AFB, Bob had many TDY overseas assignments to the Vietnam conflict. He received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Medal prior to 1965. Bob did a tour of duty in Vietnam flying from Udorn AFB, Thailand in 1967 to 1968. During the Vietnam conflict Bob was a 5X recipient of the Vietnam Service Medal and also a recipient of the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He qualified as a Small Arms Expert in Marksmanship most likely with his service revolver. He was a 6X recipient of the Air Medal for Heroism. He received The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Meritorious Service Medal, and 2X Combat Medal. When Bob returned back from Vietnam he was stationed at Bergstrom AFB Austin Texas until 1972 when he moved his family to Edwards AFB in the Mojave Desert in CA. He was still flying RF-4C's and achieved over 1000 Flight Hours as an Old Pro Award in the RF-4C aircraft. He flew special projects flying in the U2 and TDY assignments from Cyprus. Twice he received a Presidential Citation Medal. He tells the story of flying the first air refueling test of Air Force One. Bob graduated with a BA in Business from Golden Gate University. He was assigned to Beale AFB in 1976 to the 9th SRW, planning missions for the SR-71 and U2. During his Air Force career, Bob did TDY assignments all across the globe, including Mildenhall England, and Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Japan. His family knew nothing about what he did but he was certainly in the know when it came to military reconnaissance. Bob retired as a Lt. Colonel after 24 years of military service. After retirement, he started farming rice and wheat with his brother-in-law. They had a partnership and farmed together for over 25 years. Bob also ran and operated the family pheasant ranch for about 20 years. He was a long time resident of Sutter County and was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church up until his passing. Bob was an active member of Sutter Lions club for 41 years. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Sandra L. Fremd in 2013, his older sister Marie L. Fremd in 2019, and his youngest sister Mildred "Millie" E. Fremd (Poole) in 2018. Bob is survived by his sons Robert W. Fremd Jr. (Shannen) and Eric T. Fremd (Jing Yi); grandchildren Abigail Fremd, Garrett Fremd, Thomas Fremd and Andrew Fremd. A viewing will be held at Ullrey Memorial Chapel on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 5 to 7 pm. Memorial Service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 3600 S. Walton Ave, Yuba City, Friday, September 23, 2022 at 11 am. Funeral Service will follow at Sutter Cemetery near N. 11th Ave. at 12 pm.