Robin Richard Freeman, a member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, was born September 10, 1959 in Gold Beach, Oregon. He was the first of seven children born to Kathleen Melendy Carpenter. Robin passed unexpectedly in Willow Creek on May 26, 2019.

Robin attended schools in Gold Beach. He married Debra K Way in 1982, together they had one son, Willie Edwin Freeman II. Robin worked for his father, A.E. “Dugie” Freeman, in the family business, Freeman Marine, Inc., for many years. Robin then moved to Hoopa and resided there until his death. He was a descendent of Me’dildin and Tsewenaldin villages

Robin was preceded in death by his mother Kate Carpenter, Step-father, C.E.Carpenter Jr., Grandparents.Eddie and Myrtle Freeman, Ward Melendy, Norene Marshall Latham; sisters Shelly Norene, Timisha, and Chelsea Carpenter, and brother Joey Carpenter. Aunts Sandra Kyle, Lizabeth Latham, and Brenda Latham Tamerius; uncles Tim Melendy, Rob Roy Latham Sr. and Lester “Fidigoss” Latham Jr.; Cousins: Kenny and Michael Pat Kyle, Traci Melendy O’Rourke; and Jeff Melendy..

Robin is survived by his son “Eddie” of Ketchikan, Alaska, his Great-aunt Mary Dawn Melendy Cunningham; sister Brenda, brothers Chance Carpenter III (Supaha), and Devery Freeman. Aunts Mary Britton (Roger), Deirdre Young, Rochelle Encinas, Wanda Benedict, Deb Dillion (Will), Faith and Joy Melendy, Laura Latham; Uncles Mike Melendy (Darline), Patrick Melendy (Andrea), Jamie Melendy (Jackie), Jon Melendy (Ann), Kevin Latham (Sugar). Nieces and nephews Kayla Begay (Carl), Natalie (Lewis), Chance IV, Winnie, Edward, Shelly, Grant, Micah, Kinsinto, Sonny, Lisa and Misha. Cousins: Tim, Angie, Rob Roy Jr., Michele, Aimee, Jim-Bob, T.R., Marshall, Billy, Chris, Cher, Masi, Kimimula, Kevin, Josh, Megan, Chwa’kin, Warren, Rhonda, Mary, Yolanda, Jimmers, Gary, Bradley and Patrick.

We apologize if we have inadvertently omitted anyone.

Robin spent much of his younger childhood with his grandparents Eddie & Myrtle Freeman. He was the apple of his grandparents’ eye and they loved him dearly. He was super bright and inquisitive about how things worked. He studied and built model airplanes that he loved and could recite the history of every model, with such a depth of knowledge at his age some of us were convinced he would be an airplane pilot someday. Many happy times were spent on the traditional floats on the Trinity River with Auntie Mary and Uncle Roger, his many siblings and cousins. None will ever forget the “switch fight” between Rob Roy, Timbo and Robin where poison oak switches were inadvertently chosen, causing Robin to have to get medical care for the worst case of poison oak any of us had ever seen.

Robin was known for his witty conversation and sense of humor. He had an uncanny way of uplifting an individual with a few encouraging words and phrases. Robin was a tenacious reader of literature with a certain genius that allowed him to share quotes from a volume of books. Robin’s gifted nature was at times a double edge sword due to his vulnerability of absorbing the sadness and sorrow of others, seemingly without proper release

Services will be held Friday, June 7, 2019,  11 a.m. at Paul’s Chapel, 1070 H St, Arcata. A small reception will follow from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Blue Lake Casino Kinetic room. There will be a private interment later this month, when Robin’s ashes will be interred with his mother, Kate, and siblings Timisha and Joe.

###