Ruben & Teddy (Walter) By Franklin L. Kern Walter (Teddy) and brother Ruben (also known as Rube) were the best of friends and usually were involved in activities together, so when writing about one or the other, it is necessary to combine the discussion.  Their joint activities are categorized as follows:  BASEBALL As young boys, they played ball on property where the current Chamber of Commerce building is located.  This was near their home, The Kern Commercial Hotel. (It was at that time that Ruben was required to take piano lessons from a boarder, Mr. Leidlein.  It is understood that by providing lessons to Elsie and Ruben, he would be able to live rent free at the hotel. Teddy pretended to not learn easily, so he was excused from the piano lessons). In order to be able to play ball with their friends undisturbed, they posted  young kids as lookouts at either end of the play area to alert them when Mr. Leidlein would be walking down the sidewalk looking for Ruben to practice piano.  When they were alerted to Mr. Leidlein coming down the sidewalk, they would hide until he had passed by and when the “all clear” signal was given, would come back out to play. In later years, both played ball for the local semi-pro team.  The baseball park was at the Hubinger’s Grove, which was located on the Cass River on the East side of town near Wally Bronner’s current home.  As mentioned earlier, Teddy was the catcher and Ruben played a number of positions, such as Second Base, Shortstop, and Pitcher.  One of the humorous stories they related was of a right fielder of a visiting team that was attempting to catch a fly ball and fell into the river in the process.  Ruben also played baseball in Saginaw for the Central Foundry team, which was the pennant winner in 1920 in the Saginaw Industrial League. In 1936, the Kerns’ in Frankenmuth and Richville defeated a team of Gleason’s from Millington, Mt. Pleasant and Hadley, Michigan.  Per the news article, “Ruben and Walter, furnished the punch with 6 hits, each getting three and driving in 3 of the four runs”.  BOWLING Their love of bowling began at the Stahl Hotel, where there was a bowling alley in the basement.   This former hotel is now the location of the Marv Herzog Motel at the top of the hill in Frankenmuth. In the early years. they were instrumental in organizing the Frankenmuth Bowling Association as officers and directors.  They continued bowling throughout their lives into their 70ties. Rube became a District Representative for the American Bowling Congress (ABC), helping formulate new rules and regulations for 19 years at their annual national conventions.  He also was involved in the managing of local leagues as President of the Men’s League. Walter’s involvement was on the local level where he at one time was the manager of the bowling alleys in the basement of St. Lorenz Main Street School; he was a Secretary-Treasurer of the Men’s league; he assisted another person each year in testing the bowling alleys in the Frankenmuth Association area, which included Vassar, Mayville, Richville, alleys; both Ruben and Walter organized and managed the annual State-wide Rotary Bowling Tournaments. Rube and Teddy were excellent bowlers who entered the National ABC tournaments for over 35 consecutive years.  Competing in the 1944 tournament, Teddy won the Michigan Bowlers' single championship with a score of 710.  His all events total of 1916 placed fourth in the total competition.    In the 1951 ABC Tournament Doubles Competition, Teddy shot 755, which included 28 strikes out of a possible 36.  This was the second highest number of strikes ever bowled in an ABC three game event.  His partner was brother Rube, who stated he was under extreme pressure, because of Teddy’s many strikes.  He shot 542.  Their combined score of 1297 gave them 14th place in the nation, competing against professional and amateur bowlers. Besides bowling in the local and Saginaw leagues, they also bowled on the Old Frankenmuth Brewery Team with a group of locals, in competition throughout the state.  Rube bowled his 722 in one of these matches on 12/06/1936. MUSIC Another hobby of theirs was music.  Both belonged to the Concordia Male Choir, which Ruben directed for over 25 years.  Teddy sang first tenor in the choir. They were also members of the Saginaw Lutheran Band, and upon it’s demise, helped organize the Frankenmuth Concert Band.  Walter played the trumpet and base drum, while Ruben was proficient in trumpet (which he played in the U.S. Army); trombone, (played in the Universal Co. Orchestra); and baritone horn, (played in local bands).  At times, Ruben would also direct the band. The local band performed at outdoor concerts in the summer, parades for special celebrations, and for the St. Lorenz Lutheran Church annual Mission Festival church services at the church grove.  After dinner at the grove, the band gave an afternoon concert.  After 1954, it was the privilege of the writer to play baritone alongside his father Ruben in that band. CIVIC Both brothers believed that it was important to give back volunteer time to their community, so their help was extensive. They both were members of the local Rotary Club, which Ruben helped organize.  Both were President at one time, and both were honored with the Paul Harris award for their regular attendance, loyal service, and the respect given to them by their fellow Rotarians. At each weekly meeting, Rube was responsible for playing the piano, while Teddy was the leader for the group singing. Ruben was a member of the City Council of Frankenmuth, being Chairman of the Water Works Commission, which installed the city water system.  When the Memorial Park was established in the early 1950’s, Ruben became the Treasurer, which position he held for many years. CHURCH They were also faithful members of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, being members of various committees.  One of Ruben’s contributions was as a member of the committee which purchased an organ for the church in the 1930’s.  He was also the chairman of the St. Lorenz Cemetery for years. They would also periodically sing in the church with the Concordia Male Choir. Both Walter and Ruben exhibited their faith in their Lord and Savior throughout their lives, setting good examples for their children and grandchildren. FISHING Fishing was an enjoyable experience for both brothers.  The families of Ruben and Walter, along with other friends and families would rent cottages at Houghton Lake each year for a week.  This provided opportunities for fishing, swimming and fellowship. They would also charter fishing boats for a day on the Saginaw Bay, and went fishing with friends.  I can recall a time when their catch was about 400 perch. The love of fishing was passed onto Ruben’s son Harry and his sons, who annually go trout and walleye fishing.  Brother Jim and Frank would join them for these fishing excursions. CLUBS Teddy and Rube belonged to the Lincoln Woodchoppers Club, which would meet annually on February 12th, (President Lincoln’s birthday) in the woods of John Loesel, (father of Freida Loesel Kern).  The annual rite for this club was to cut one tree and make firewood for all who needed the wood.  Subsequently that day, they would have their annual “business” meeting, with the minutes written in German.  Each member was assigned a tree name in German.  The membership of this club was transferred to the oldest son of each member when the original members no longer wanted to meet.  The club has now since disbanded.

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