Fredrick William Scholl, 74, of Lemon Grove passed away due to natural causes April 16 at his home.
Fred Scholl helped build many of San Diego’s most important LGBT institutions. Fred was born in San Diego but lived in Germany as a child, and lost both of his parents in World War II. Members of his family were active in the White Rose, an anti-Nazi organization. Fred returned to the United States at age 8, and went on to earn his first degree from San Diego State University. He served in the US Air Force as an intelligence officer in Europe, the Middle East, and Vietnam — earning two Purple Hearts, among numerous other military honors.
Over the years, Fred was involved in many different parts of the LGBT community. He co-founded The Center and served on its early board of directors. Fred was also the volunteer director of The Center’s Prisoner, Parole and Probation Services and Legal Services programs for almost two decades.
He worked to help create the San Diego Coalition for Human Rights, which grew into the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA). Fred also co-founded the Gay and Lesbian Latino Organization, which later became Orgullo.
He wrote for several local gay publications, including the San Diego Son, Update, and the Gay and Lesbian Times. Fred was also a co-founder of Stepping Stone, San Diego’s alcohol and drug recovery agency for LGBT communities: he wrote the articles of incorporation and even gave the group its name. He was also active in AIDS-related causes. Fred co-founded Auntie Helen’s, a laundry service for people with AIDS, and thrift store. He helped initiate Clinica ACOSIDA, the first Mexican AIDS clinic, and served as its volunteer pharmacist for 17 years.
Fred was an important early figure in building a relationship between the LGBT community and the police department. He co-founded the Gay and Lesbian Police Liaison Committee and served as its chair for about ten years.
Fred also designed and taught sensitivity training for cadets at the San Diego Policy Academy and led the Police/Community Relations Advisory Board.
Fred’s activism went beyond the LGBT community. He was the first openly gay president of the local American Civil Liberties Union, a co-founder of the Centro Legal for Spanish-speaking communities, and treasurer of the San Diego County Bail Fund. He was also a volunteer pharmacist with the International Red Cross and the Cruz Roja of Mexico.
In 2007, Fred was inducted into the San Diego LGBT Community Wall of Honor.
Ricardo Duenez, the volunteer psychologist for ACOSIDA from 1997 to 2007 paying tribute to Fred said, “Fred retired from ACOSIDA in 2003 due to a diagnosis of a congenital heart disease, which he eventually had surgery for at the San Diego VA Hospital. His health was fragile from then on, including respiratory difficulties, which gradually led to his recent demise, although he always continued to live independently at his house in Lemon Grove up through the very end. Fred was a workaholic most of his life both professionally and volunteer-wise. He was never reserved about speaking his mind. He’s an old friend who I will miss.”
Fred is survived by his dog, Bam Bam, his brothers: James (Vicky) and William (Eutha), his nieces and nephew: Christina, Tracy, Robin, Chelsy and David, his extended family: Flash, Lance, Donna, and Chrissy. He was preceded in death by his brother, Clarence and sister, Phyllis.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to Mama’s Kitchen, 3960 Home Ave., San Diego, CA 92105. http://www.mamaskitchen.org/
At Fred’s request there will be no services. During an interview by a local paper Fred was once asked how he felt about death as he was frequently exposed it because of his volunteer work. He was no longer filled with overwhelming grief at someone’s passing and so he leaves us with his quote on death, “There is a sadness; it’s more like a friend of yours has left town, and you’ll see him again.”
