Fred J. Kahle
(1920-2001)
Inducted 1998
Fred Kahle began his study of music when he was eight years old. “Some of my earliest and fondest memories are of my Dad singing or playing his violin, banjo or mandolin,” said Fred. Fred’s musical career began in 1928 when he studied violin and four years later was the youngest member of the New Ulm Symphony. He played in numerous bands and orchestras, and after being discharged from the army in 1945, he joined the Al Menke Orchestra and traveled throughout the Midwest. In 1952, he graduated with a Master’s Degree in music education and began teaching in Fairfax, Minnesota for three years. From there he taught music at Jeffers High School. He moved to South St. Paul for a teaching position in 1958 and remained there until his retirement in 1982. “I’m luck I’ve been able to spend my life doing something I’ve enjoyed doing… music,” Fred says.
