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A Turning Point for Fred
The fall of 1944 would be a turning point for Fred Knox '48 as he entered the doors of St. Patrick Academy. The St. Aloysius alumnus and former altar boy came from modest means and had to work throughout high school to help support his St. Pat's education. The sacrifices he made paid off as his experience at Saint Patrick and the influence of the Christian Brothers led him to a successful career as an actuary.
Fred entered the scientific/academic track at St. Pat's because he excelled in math. The Brothers helped lay the groundwork for a solid math curriculum, particularly Brother John Chrysostom. "He was lovingly referred to as Dick Tracy because he kept the kids in line," said Fred. Brother John C., who was also known as the "terror of the school" was also the best loved. Fred feels that Brother John C. and the other Christian brothers who taught at St. Pat's instilled the importance of attendance, timeliness, and discipline that has carried with him throughout his life.
After graduating from St. Pat's, Fred went on to receive a degree in math with minors in physics and finance from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Upon his graduation from IIT, Fred was drafted into the military and served as an auditor in Sendia, Japan during the Korean War. Once he returned from his tour of service, he began his professional career in actuarial work at Continental Assurance Co. now known as CNA Insurance. He then worked for a few other insurance companies before he landed at the St. Paul Companies in Minnesota. He worked for St. Paul for 28 years serving first as Vice President Actuary and finally serving as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development.
Grateful for the education he received from the Christian Brothers, Fred is a major benefactor of Saint Patrick High School and has the included the school in his estate plans. To this day, Fred believes that "St. Pat's is the salvation of this community giving parents a choice in lieu of sending them to public schools." When asked to offer some words of wisdom to today's Shamrocks, Fred says, "Believe in hard work, make your own luck. But, in order to make your own luck, you must have a good education and be conscientious. Help others, go the extra mile and reach out to people."
Following his philosophy of "reaching out to others," Fred has been an avid volunteer over the years for a number of charities in Minnesota. He served on the Board of Directors for Grandville House, a halfway house for men, women and teens. He was also very dedicated to the cause of the Boy Scouts of America. Fred became an Eagle Scout while he was at St. Pat's and later volunteered as a troop leader and served on various Boy Scout executive committees in the St. Paul area.
Today, he volunteers through AARP and takes the annual exams needed to be certified to provide free tax return service from February until April. Still going strong at age 78, Fred plays golf once a week, exercises six days a week, weight trains and has hiked throughout the world. He also likes to restore old photographs and has donated a series of prints to St. Pat's.
