Robert Linward Freeland, Jr., (Bob) former Lake County Recorder, Councilman at Large and Indiana State Representative, loved Gary, Indiana. He was a lifelong resident who served 60 years as a public servant and always expressed his love for Gary when campaigning and through his willingness and commitment to helping others. Freeland died on Friday, June 24, 2022, at 83.
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Progressive Cathedral, 1169 Connecticut, Gary, Indiana. Winston K Larry, M.Div and D.Min., will officiate the service.
In one of Freeland’s early campaign flyers, he conveyed his commitment and love for Gary. It read, “My roots run deep in Gary and so does my concerns and commitment to Black People in this City. It is with this dedicated commitment that I come to you as a candidate for the Office of State Representative.
“You and I together have a big job to do for this city. We must go about the task of electing Black State Representatives with the same vigor demonstrated in past elections to elect Black Gary officials. I am prepared with your help, to do whatever must be done to affect a win.”
Freeland loved the City of Gary, having served on numerous boards and organizations, he was devoted to improving the lives of Gary residents through his various positions in government, community and civic responsibilities; NAACP, Urban League of NWI, Gary Police Commission, Northwest Indiana Planning Commission, and Gary Frontiers International Civic Club, Inc., to name a few.
Freeland was also a businessman, Bob owned Black Horsemen Liquors, Golden Tornado Lounge, Glen Park Furniture, and Roma’s Pizza and Restaurant.
He was a proud Froebel Blue Devil, Class of 1958. He later pursued undergraduate studies in Business Administration at Calumet College. Bob a true family man, was an avid golfer, loved traveling, jazz, theater and fine cuisine.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Linward Freeland, Sr., and Mamie Mack, brothers Frederic Wesson, Ellis Charles Freeland and sister Constance Perry.
He is survived by his children, Robin (Nathaniel) Shannon, Brandon Freeland, of Gary, IN and Ken (Candasha) Davis, of Chicago, IL., sisters Sandra A. Adams, Gayle Freeland and Sherylin (Robert) Freeland-McCrady, all of Gary, IN., special grandson Keith Donaldson, grand pup Chewbacca, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
