Robert S. Frew of New Haven passed away peacefully on Sept. 22, 2023 in Yale New Haven Hospital.
He is the beloved husband of Susan Hatch Frew. He was born in a tiny village of 200 people in Chapelton, Scotland on March 2, 1940, son of the late James G. Frew, a blacksmith, and Hannah Morrow Simpson Frew, a weaver. He was born from loving simple beginnings, where creativity took place on the kitchen table. He was a graduate of The Mackintosh School of Architecture, 1963; B.Arch Manitoba School of Architecture, 1965; MASc Engineering, University of Waterloo, 1967; and PhD. Engineering, University of Waterloo, 1973.
While at the University of Waterloo, he was part of building the Kaleidoscope Pavilion at the 1967 World’s Fair. Professionally, Robert, an architect, was known for the renaissance of State Street in New Haven. He was president of Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven and served on the Board of Aldermen. He was also a Scottish Dancer and helped form and teach the New Haven Branch of Royal Country Scottish Dancers. He also was part of the Beginning of Schooner, one of his and New Haven’s favorite organizations.
Bob taught at the Yale School of Architecture from 1969 – 1999, In the 1970s Bob made significant programming contributions to the early developments of Computer Aided Design. At the Yale School of Architecture he established the computer lab, with applications that have now influenced every aspect of architectural design and construction.
Bob Frew and Bob Workman were the founders of the Computer Science Department at Southern Connecticut State University. Both Bobs were professors, and Bob Frew was the department chairman (1981 – 84) of Computer Science at Southern Connecticut State University. He taught from 1978 – 2003.
Bob is survived by his wife Susan, his children Ian Frew (Dawn) and Susannah Frew Dameron (Philip), his grandchildren Zachary and Madeleine Frew and James Robert Dameron, and his great granddaughter Adriana Frew. He was predeceased by siblings Hannah Frew Paterson and James Frew.
In most recent years Bob was a member of Baldwin Yacht Club (virtual as well as social), and a member of the Property Committee at First Presbyterian Church.
Robert’s funeral service was held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, 704 Whitney Avenue, New Haven. Burial followed in Grove Street Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven, 37 Union St, New Haven, CT 06511, or the Community Foundation to support the Schooner program, or Frew Family Fund at Southern Connecticut State College for scholarships in Computer Science. Contributions are payable to SCSU Foundation, 501 Crescent St. New Haven, CT 06515.
The Lupinski Funeral Home, Inc. is in care of his arrangements.
This obituary was originally published on the Lupinski Funeral Home’s website.