20/05/2025
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Fred Kern, III who was inducted in 2015 as the seventh "Distinguished Friend" of the Eastern Fish Health Workshop. Fred was born in Woodbury (NJ) on 28 December 1941 to Elizabeth and Frederick G. Kern, Jr. Soon thereafter, Fred’s father accepted a position as a chemical engineer in Baltimore (MD), which was where young Fred (a.k.a. “Pug”) spent much of his childhood. After his parents divorced, Fred moved to Oak Harbor (Washington) with his mother and step-father, Herbert Miles. There, he explored the Cascade Mountains and tidal pools of Puget Sound, which evoked a keen interest in science and the outdoors. In 1959, Fred entered the University of Maryland at College Park and also worked as a biological aide with the Department of Interior’s, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (BCF) facilities in Annapolis and Oxford (MD), which researched the health of shellfish species in Chesapeake Bay. Fred’s part-time collegiate career was interrupted in 1964, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed for 18-months in Munich, Germany. After serving his country, Fred returned to the University of Maryland and completed his B.S. in Biological Sciences in 1970. Following graduation, Fred became a food inspector with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Six months later, however, Fred accepted a position as a Biological Technician at the Oxford Laboratory, which was then a component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service. During his tenure at Oxford, Fred was enrolled in NOAA’s Senior Scientist Academic Program and attended Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene in Baltimore, where he did graduate study under the mentorship of Dr. Frederick Bang. For 42-years until his retirement in 2007, Fred rose through the ranks and retired from federal service as the Officer in Charge of the Oxford Laboratory. He served in that capacity from 1987-1995 and then again from 1999-2004. Most of his career was invested in research to understand, diagnose, and mitigate the effects of diseases associated with marine mollusks and prevent introductions of harmful, non-indigenous marine species. He became recognized as a national expert on invasive species introductions from ballast waters of foreign vessels and served as NOAA’s representative on the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and as the U.S. representative to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas. Fred also chaired the Green Crab Control Working Group that led to the development of the federal management plan for the highly invasive European Green Crab. Fred was a member the Biological Review Team that was convened to review the status of Eastern oysters in response to a petition to list the oyster as a threatened or endangered species. For such efforts, Fred received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2004 Bronze Medal for Commendable Service. Fred also served on the National Delegation of the United States-Japan Natural Resources Aquaculture Panel through the U.S. Sea Grant Program. He was a Past-Treasurer and member of the Society of Invertebrate Pathology, the Atlantic Estuarine Research Society, and the Coastal and Estuarine Research Foundation. As a member of the Oxford Laboratory, which co-founded the Eastern Fish Health Workshop with the Eastern Fish Disease Laboratory, Fred not only attended the inaugural meeting but remained steadfastly dedicated to the workshop throughout his career. He has served the workshop as co-chairman on multiple occasions and was a perennial moderator, special session coordinator, and presenter. He tirelessly worked behind the scenes to facilitate site-selections, organize social events, and be the focal point to increase attendance of marine researchers. Fred and his wife, Sandra, were married for 54 years and resided in Easton (MD). They have two married children, Melanie and Fred IV (a.k.a. “Fritz”), who have blessed their parents with five grandchildren.
