ROBERT “BOB” WILLIAM FRIEND

BRISTOL — Robert “Bob” William Friend of Bristol, Vt., passed away peacefully at home Aug. 2, 2026, after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma blood cancer, surrounded by family. He was 67 years old.

Bob was born Feb. 12, 1959, in Detroit, Mich., to Marie “Joyce” Joyce Pageau and Thomas “Tom” William Friend. He spent his early years growing up in Crete, Ill., before his family relocated to Alburgh, Vt., and eventually settled in Bristol, where Bob would build a family with the love of his life, Martha. Together for 49 years, theirs was a marriage built on unwavering love, commitment, and devotion.

Throughout his life, Bob was known for his incredible work ethic, outgoing personality, and handsome smile. He spent more than 30 years as a butcher, working at a number of supermarkets and meat packing plants in his time. Other jobs Bob particularly enjoyed throughout his working years included installing the blue grain silos seen across Vermont and working for the local town.

More important than any job to Bob, however, was his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his wife, Martha, children, and grandchildren more than anything else. To his grandchildren, he was affectionately known as “Papa” — and he was the best Papa ever. Despite facing significant adversity throughout his life, Bob built what he considered his greatest accomplishment — a close-knit, loving family. He can rest easy knowing he did a remarkable job raising them, and the values he instilled will continue for generations.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce; his father, Tom; his brother, Jim; and his sister, Brenda.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Martha Friend; his siblings, Charley, Linda, and Kathleen; his children, Sarah (George), Adam (Eva), Travis (Paige), and Emily (Lucas); his grandchildren, Kayla, Silas, Skylar, Kaitlyn, Carter, Carissa, Nathan, Hannah, Laura, Sophie, and Sawyer; and his two great-grandchildren, Lucas and Quinn, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy.

The family kindly asks that you keep Bob and all who loved him in your thoughts and prayers. Though our hearts are heavy with his absence, we find comfort in knowing that he has been reunited in Heaven with those who went before him.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, with details to be announced. ◊