Ross Robert Freeman passed away on March 4, 2021 at the age of 81, surrounded by his beloved wife and four daughters. Ross was born April 28, 1939 in Ellsworth, Kansas, to Robert and Mildred (Hand) Freeman. He grew up in Belleville, Kansas, where he was a football and track standout.

Ross attended Kansas State University, where he majored in mathematics and played on the football team. While attending Kansas State, he met the love of his life, Fern Jahnke, in a humanities class. The couple married on the same day they both graduated and would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this year.

Ross and Fern moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where Ross worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company as a computer analyst for the liquid hydrogen rocket engine program in the early days of the U.S. Space Program. While in Florida, Ross and Fern welcomed their first two daughters, Debra and Nanette. With Nanette still an infant, Ross moved his family back to Kansas to attend Washburn Law School in Topeka. Following law school, they welcomed two more daughters, Amy and Sara.

Ross practiced law in the corporate world before embracing his entrepreneurial instincts and spirit. After completing a business program at Harvard Business School, Ross, together with Fern, purchased and sold several businesses including Zax, Inc. and Kobi Office Systems. Ross found his niche in real estate development and founded his development company, Pioneer Group, Inc. in 1997. Over the past 23 years, the company has developed over 1,500 affordable housing projects, inclusive of 800 housing units in Topeka and northeast Kansas. Pioneer Group has also developed more than a hundred historic buildings not only benefiting Topeka but also numerous communities across the country. His passion for development can be seen in the restored Dillon House in downtown Topeka. Pioneer Group is known for historic restoration and housing development projects and has won many awards for excellence, including the prestigious J. Timothy Anderson Award for Historic Rehabilitation.

Ross was committed to making this world a better place and was always on the go, active in many business and civic activities. He was on the Board of Directors for many organizations including the Kansas State University Foundation (Past President), National Housing and Rehabilitation Association, Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, Kansas Life Insurance Association (Past President), Kansas Association of Mental Health (Past President), Kansas Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association (Former Chairman), Heartland Works (Past President), West Topeka Rotary (Past President), Active 20-30 Club of Topeka (Past President), Topeka Community Resource Council (Past President), and Topeka Festival Singers. He also served on the Topeka USD 501 Board of Education. Ross was elected as Class Secretary for his Harvard Business School class and served in that role for over 40 years. He was awarded the Ad Astra Award by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, Boss of the Year by the KanKan Chapter of American Business Women, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the KSU Math Department. Recently, in 2018, Ross was honored by the Harvard Business School for “Making a Difference” in his community.

In addition to his entrepreneurial and civic endeavors, Ross was also involved in politics. In 1976, Ross was the Republican nominee for the Kansas Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives race. He served as a Delegate for the White House Conference on SALT II.

A man of great faith, Ross held many leadership positions at Trinity Presbyterian Church and loved singing in the choir. He completed the Commissioned Lay Pastor program at Sterling College and enjoyed his time as interim pastor at Potwin Presbyterian Church and Central Presbyterian Church. Several years ago, Ross and Fern began the Freeman Lecture Series “Servant Leadership” at Sterling College. One of his most cherished memories was officiating the wedding of his oldest granddaughter, Amanda, which took place on Ross and Fern’s 50th wedding anniversary.

A lifelong Wildcat fan, Ross followed the K-State football program for over 50 years as a season ticket holder. He proudly wore his Golden Cat ring, which was engraved with his jersey number and the years he played on the team. A family man, Ross loved attending the theater productions, musicals, concerts, dance recitals and many sporting events of his children and grandchildren.

Ross’ life was a life well lived. Never slowing down, he embraced life fully with purpose and gusto. He always saw opportunities rather than obstacles with an eye to the future. He believed that he could do anything that he set his mind to--a true renaissance man.

Ross is survived by his wife, Fern, his four daughters: Debra Ricks (William Buckler), Nanette Hinchey (Shari Waters), Amy Pierce (Brooks), and Sara Brummer (Greg); his nine grandchildren: Amanda Noll (Justin), John Hinchey, Meaghan Ricks, Meredith Ricks, Walker Ricks, Alexandra Pierce, William Pierce, Paige Brummer, Brooke Brummer; and two great grandchildren: Grayson and Kitsyn Noll. He is also survived by his brothers, Gene and Jack Freeman, and many nieces and nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church or the American Heart Association. Ross will be dearly missed, and we will hold him in our hearts.

The family will hold a private memorial service. A celebration of Ross’ life will be held at the Dillon House on Friday, March 12th from 2:30-4:00. Due to COVID protocols, we respectfully request attendees to practice social distancing and wear masks.

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