St. Charles teacher remembered for his faith, energy

Even if you didn't know Bob Fraser Jr., just listening to the stories told about him at his memorial service Friday made you wish you had.

There were nearly as many smiles and chuckles as there were tears at First Baptist Church in Geneva as friends and family recounted the many adventures of the "smiling guy with crazy red hair."

Fraser died suddenly last Sunday. But at only 39 years old, he lived a life that took him from his birthplace of Tennessee to New Orleans where he worked at Commander's Palace, one of the best restaurants in the nation. He traveled to Houston and all points in between there and Guatemala City.

He performed missionary work in Africa and Colorado and served the people of Belize, where he also met his wife, Jennifer. The couple have four children, all 10 or younger.

Just two years ago, he became one of the assistant principals at Haines Middle School in St. Charles Unit District 303.

Jason Pearson is an assistant area superintendent for the district, but his relationship with Fraser began in 2008 when they both lived in Tennessee and he hired Fraser to be a teacher.

Pearson was immediately drawn to Fraser's sincerity and life experience during the job interview.

"I remember thinking at one point, 'Is this guy for real?' I couldn't fathom how someone of Bob's age could have the depth of experiences that he was talking about."

As their friendship blossomed, Pearson went on to have his own experiences with Fraser.

There was the time he went to Walt Disney World with Fraser and his family. While watching the Fountain of Nations, Fraser broke into an interpretive dance for the amusement of his three girls. The big man jumped and turned across the entire pavilion while a crowd watched.

"I watched as his daughters laughed," Pearson said. "Bob didn't care what other people thought."

Fraser made the most of his lack of inhibitions, Pearson said, whether it was talking his way into kitchen tours at Chicago's top restaurants or engaging homeless people in conversations about their lives so he could help them or at least come to know who they were.

"It's impossible to go anywhere with Bob Fraser that he did not know someone," Pearson said. "What was most amazing to me was that he actually knew these people. He remembered their names and something that came up the last time they talked. Bob always wanted to know you and what makes up your story."

Pearson said Fraser "lived his life in a way that challenges me to be a better person."

"He was the kindest, most compassionate, selfless friend that I have ever known," Pearson said. "He was bigger than life."

Other speakers at the memorial recounted Fraser's deep Christian faith as the guiding energy behind his core principals and approach to life. He was on his knees praying and singing when he received the call to come work for Haines Middle School.

That approach seems to have made a large impression on many people. An online fundraiser page for Fraser's children has brought in nearly $40,000 in donations from 400 people in the past four days.

There will be a second memorial service for Fraser July 18 in Nashville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorials to the Fraser Children's Education Fund, c/o Bank of America, 802 Commons Drive, Geneva IL.