Robert David Frieze was born April 26, 1951 in Tulsa, OK to Robert "Bob" and Mildred (Smith) Frieze. He departed this life at his home in Wagoner, OK on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at the age of 68 years.

Below are excerpts from David's reunion bio which illustrates his love of life and the importance of living it to the fullest. In it he states, " Anyone needing more boring info will have to watch for a pending obituary. So much to do, so little time. I have been blessed, and trying to pay it back.

I had a 25 year banking career in Northeast Oklahoma the last 15 as president of Bank of Inola. Served on many board of both non-profits and for profit, including on the Rogers State University Board of Regents, Chairman Tri County CASA and Oklahoma Bankers Association, yada, yada…..

During that time, as a hobby I got into helicopters, logging a lot of time as a commercial helicopter pilot. Did a little lobby work for the bankers in both OKC and Washington. Was fortunate enough to travel a lot for both business and pleasure. Sold the bank in Inola in 1999 and decided I wanted to be in the medical field when I grow up. The helicopter business led me to being a Colorado Wilderness EMT, then a Paramedic, and within the last few years, a Registered Nurse (nursing school in my fifties was a hoot.)

I love doing medical mission trips to third world countries. Met my current wife, Cindy (a RN from Arkansas) on a trip to El Salvador in 2000. Have served in most of the Central American countries, Africa, and South America. Bolivia and Tanzania are my favorites.

Cindy and I also are members of a US Health and Human Services team called OK1 DMAT, Disaster Medical Assistant Team and in the last few years they set up emergency hospitals after hurricanes."

In 2001 David began as a paramedic with Wagoner EMS. He became a registered nurse in 2006 and worked at Wagoner Community Hospital as a paramedic and registered nurse in the emergency room. He also was a nurse at the Methodist Boys' Home in Gore, OK and the Children's Home in Tahlequah, OK. He and his wife, Cindy, shared their concern for helping those in need. Together they ran the free clinic at Wagoner Community Outreach, where he served as a member of the Board of Directors.

David and Cindy were members of the First United Methodist Church in Wagoner, OK. He was a member of the United Methodist Men's Group and was very active in missions through the United Methodist Missions, traveling on fifteen different missions in Central and South America, Africa and elsewhere around the world. . He loved traveling and learning at least a few words of the foreign languages.

David will be truly missed by those who knew him well. They will remember his generous heart and how he was never without words for everyone he met. They soon learned he was a great practical joker. They will remember his love for nature and how he liked hiking with Cindy in the mountains and that he was an avid runner at one time.

David is survived by his wife, Cindy (Hoskins) Frieze of the home; two brothers, Ed Frieze of Santo, Texas and Robin Frieze and his wife, Julia, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; one stepdaughter, Latona Lamphear of Kansas, Oklahoma; three granddaughters, Ashton, Morgan and Clarissa; a great-grandson, Will and another great-grandchild on the way; many nieces, nephews, cousins; other relatives and many friends.

A Memorial Service to celebrate a life well lived will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, November 8, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Wagoner. The Reverend Gloria Denton will officiate.

Memorial donations in memory of David Frieze may be made to the Prayer Card Ministry or the Mission Fund, both at First United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 394, Wagoner, OK 74477 or to the Mission Fund at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6767 South Mingo Road, Tulsa, OK  74133.