FREEDOM — Robert Leland Cody, 70, of Freedom, a veteran of the United States Navy, died May 26, 2016, of health related issues.

Born in Augusta on May 1, 1946, Bob was a long-term Freedom resident, arriving in the mid-1970s with his young family to "get back to the land." Like a true old-time homesteader, Bob and his then-wife, Diane Cody, cleared the land by hand and built the original cabin from logs hauled out of the woods with a team of horses. A creative and accomplished builder, Bob continued to expand the house (often just chainsawing holes in the walls) for the next 20 years until it burned to the ground during the ice storms of 1998.

Bob was well-liked in Freedom and enjoyed socializing with young people in town, many of whom looked up to him as both friend and mentor. He also spent several years as a volunteer for Maine Handicapped Skiing at Sunday River.

Bob is survived by his ex-wife and best friend, Diane Cody; their children, Suzanne Marie Cody, Gwendolyn Cody Madden and Nikadimus Copernicus Cody; his grandchildren, Isabel Cody and Sylvan Cody; and his siblings, Norman Cody, Patricia Miner, Jacqueline Beckim, Marlene Gallant, Jeannine Jacques, William Cody and Michael Cody.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 4, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Dirigo Grange Hall in Freedom. All are welcome.

Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home.