Friends of Fred A. Kummel were shocked and grieved to learn of his death from a heart attack last Thursday at the Marine Hospital in Baltimore….

Mr. Kummel who was our tide observer at Baltimore since the station was established in 1902, was born in Detroit, Mich., on November 15, 1877. His father, was Mr. C. H. Kummel, who was a Computer in the Coast Survey for many years. He graduated in June 1897 from Central High School in Washington. In November 1899, he was hired by the Coast Survey as a tide observer and assigned to the tidal division where he remained until 1902, at such a time he took over his duties as tide observer in Baltimore, remaining faithfully until his death.

Mr. Kummel was very fond of music and was a skilled musician. Until recently, he was actively engaged in playing with various bands and orchestras in Baltimore.