Robert DeFreitas

Robert F. DeFreitas, 85, of Barrington died January 29, 2010 at home. Born September 12, 1924 in Springfield, Illinois to Frederick and Helen (Utterback) DeFreitas. Bob graduated in 1942 from Senn High School in Chicago. He went on to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. His college education was interrupted by his service in the United States Army Air Corp. during World War II. While serving in the Pacific, Bob was shot down over China in 1945 during a reconnaissance mission and rescued by Chinese allies. After completing his tour of duty he returned to Northwestern University, served as president of Sigma Chi, and graduated in 1948. Bob embarked on a career as salesman and marketing director with Cahners Publishing, eventually being appointed publisher of Construction Equipment Magazine in 1968. In June of 1969 while returning from Los Angeles to New York on business, Bob was unknowingly seated next to an armed hijacker. Taken hostage, with a gun to his head, Bob was lead to the cockpit of United Flight #14. The DC8 was rerouted to Havana, Cuba at the demands of the hijacker. United Airlines awarded Bob a ballpoint pen as compensation for his "inconvenience". Over the course of his illustrious career with Construction Equipment Magazine, he was considered a pioneer who took the trade journal from obscurity to dominance over a twenty year period until his retirement in 1990. After his retirement, Bob enjoyed years of family, golf, tennis and travel with his wife Yvonne, especially to their vacation home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Beloved husband of Yvonne nee Melville, loving father of Cynthia (William) Barrett, Pamela (David) Berari, Michelle (Randy) Kottke, Sarah DeFreitas, Anthony DiOrio and Michael (Jenay) DiOrio; dear grandfather of Krista (Damon) Malone, Ryan Barrett, Tyra and Nicholas Thomas, Ian, Natalie, Olivia, and Gabrielle Kottke, and Nyah, Kylie, and Lexy DiOrio; fond uncle of John (Lesley) and Charles (Sue) Noone, and great uncle of Chris, Veronica, Chelsea, Steve (Melissa), and Kristin Noone; fond nephew of Peg Utterback; cherished brother of the late Mollie (George) Noone; and dear son of the late Frederick and Helen, nee Utterback. Visitation, Saturday, February 6, 2010 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11:30 a.m., at the Davenport Family Funeral Home 149 W. Main St. (Lake-Cook Rd.), Barrington. Interment will be private. Memorials in Mr. DeFreitas? name may be made to the Pepper Family Hospice Home and Care Center, c/o Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, 410 S. Hager Ave., Barrington, IL 60010.

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