Obituary of Frederick J. Kirch Sr.

FREDERICK J. KIRCH SR. Latham-Frederick J. Kirch Sr, 90 of Latham, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2019 at St. Peter's Hospital. Born in Troy on December 19, 1928, he was the son of the late Frederick S. and Lena (Fahrenkopf) Kirch and step son of the late Margaret (Kagel) Kirch. He graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1942 and LaSalle Institute in 1946 as a LTCOL in the regiment. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Navy serving from 1946-1948 and was Plank-Owner aboard the USS Valley Forge CV-45. He then received his BBA in Accounting at Siena College graduating Cum Laude in 1952 where he was also the class president, member of the student senate, active in various clubs and a member of the varsity soccer team. Fred was also selected to the Who's Who in American colleges. Upon graduation he was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy in the ROC program. He remained on active duty during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars with over 29 years combined naval service. He was supply officer aboard the USS Brough DE-148 from 1953-1954 and Plank-Owner aboard the USS Lawrence DDG-4. Fred retired from the Navy in August of 1975 with the rank of CDR SC USN and received the World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Meritorius Service Medal. He also received his MBA (Financial Management) in 1966 from George Washington University. He was a member of the faculty at Albany Business College from 1975-1988 before joining Bryant & Stratton College in October 1988, retiring in August 2004 as Accounting Department Chairman. He remained on the staff as core adjunct professor teaching accounting until January 2012. Fred was a life member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Destroyer Escort Sailors Association (DESA), Honorary member of the Alpha Beta Kappa national Honor Society as well as a member of the Germania Hall Association, President of the Troy Maennerchor, Treasurer Constatter and Trustee Badische. He was also an active singer with the Henrick Hudson Male Chorus. He enjoyed being outside doing yard work and gardening, watching sports on TV and was an avid New York Yankee and Minnesota Vikings Fan. Fred was the beloved husband of Annette (Adams) Kirch of Latham. He is also survived by his loving children: Kathleen Kirch of Latham and Brian (Anne) Kirch of Castleton on Hudson; his two grandchildren who are the loves of his life: Emily and Matthew Kirch as well as his sister: Joanne (Michael) Canonico of Valley Falls, NY and one niece and nephew. He was predeceased by his son Frederick J. Kirch Jr. in 2017. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday November 21, 2019 from 3:00-6:00pm at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. Fred's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Geoffrey Burke on Friday November 22, 2019 at 10:00am in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Fred's memory to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204 or to the Our Lady of the Assumption Church Fund, 498 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110. Interment will take place in Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. For directions, information, to light a memory candle or order flowers for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.