Frederich Awalde Kremple

Dr. Frederich A. Kremple, 97, a native of the Twin Ports area and long time educator, died Thursday, March 1, 2012, at his home in Castro Valley, Calif.

Fred was born July 17, 1914 in Duluth to Raymond and Gertrude (Wirzfeld) Kremple. He was two years old when the family moved to the Town of Superior.

He attended the former Billings School, graduated from Superior Central High School in 1932, and earned a bachelor of education degree from Superior State Teachers College in 1936. He studied at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis for his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. He also did post-graduate work at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and study programs in Russia.

Fred's teaching career spanned 49 years with a three-year break for army duty in Europe during World War II. His first job in 1936 was at the one room Selden School in rural Douglas County where he taught grades 6-10. In 1940 he returned to the four-room Billings School he had attended as a child, this time as principal and teacher of grades nine and ten.

Fred taught one year at Ely (Minn.) Junior College and spent the remaining years of his career at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, where he was Professor of History, Department Chairman, Dean of Learning Resources, and a member of the Russian and Eastern European Studies Faculty. As a member of the International Studies Program, he directed seven semester abroad trips to Europe and Asia. Fred retired from UWSP as Professor Emeritus at age 71.

Fred married Patricia Carver of Stevens Point in 1952. They lived in Plover, Wis., until 1989, when they moved to Yosemite Lakes Park in Madera County, Calif. In December 2001 they joined the Baywood Court Retirement Community in Castro Valley.

For many years, Fred was active in the Lions Club, and a supporter of Cub Scout and Boy Scout activities. As an avid stamp collector, he was a life member of the American Philatelic Society. He appreciated good music, and played violin and piano. Fred was a master gardener and wherever he lived, his yard became a neighborhood showplace. In earlier years, he enjoyed skiing and snowmobiling with his wife and son.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Clara, Angela and Wilma; brothers William, George and Robert; two nieces, a grand-niece and two grand-nephews.

His survivors include his wife Patricia, son Eugene "Gino" Kremple, daughter-in-law Sally Blackwood, and granddaughter Sarah Kremple, all of the San Francisco Bay area; grandson Tobias Kremple of Seattle, Wash.; a sister Irene Gigliotti of Superior, 12 nieces and nephews, and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A private inurnment service will be held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in California.

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