Karl Frederick Fehrle

Karl Frederick Fehrle, 103, of Chatham, MA, and previously Tenafly, NJ, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at the McCarthy Care Center in East Sandwich.

Karl (with a “K”) was born in Fort Lee, NJ to Fred and Olga Fehrle. As a child, he remembered watching silent movies being made in the woods down the street from his home. In high school he started his musical career, playing alto sax and clarinet. He supported himself through college playing gigs at night. He served in the Army in WWII from 1942 to 1945, serving in North Africa, Italy, Austria and France as an MP and musician in the Army’s 88th Division “Blue Devils” band.

Karl married his true love, Dorothy (Dotte) Wolff, in 1946. Karl graduated from NYU with a degree in business education, later in life he earned his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He started his career in public accounting and transitioned to be Treasurer of railroad equipment manufacturer Ellcon-National until his retirement in 1987, when he and Dotte relocated from NJ to Chatham. In retirement, he resumed his passion for music and started playing as a founding member with the Brewster Band, with the Harwich Band, Sound Dunes, Sentimental Journey and Chatham Band. He also served as treasurer of numerous local organizations over the last six decades, enjoyed travel with his wife and friends, tennis, occasional golf and was an avid reader.

Sadly, Dotte passed in 2017. He leaves his two daughters, Wendy Fehrle Pape (husband Harry Pape) of Princeton MA and Barbara Fehrle Gouzouasis (husband Spiro Gouzouasis) of Chalfont PA; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Karl was that rare gentleman - accomplished, modest - his friends and family have always deemed him their national treasure. He was an exceptional husband, loving father and cherished friend. He last played his horn at the Chatham Airport Open House in June and continued to enjoy life to the fullest through his 103rd birthday. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Inurnment for Karl and his wife Dotte wilI be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne in a private ceremony. Rather than a formal service, a celebration of Karl’s life will be held on September 7, 2024 from 4pm to 7pm at the Atwood Museum in Chatham. For those who would like to honor Karl with a contribution, donations may be made to the “Karl Fehrle Fund for Community Music” c/o The Cape Cod Foundation, 261 Whites Path, Unit 2, South Yarmouth, MA 02664. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com