BIOGRAPHY

Alma Kahl was born in Montgomery, West Virginia, USA, on 6 July 1911, to parents John Robert Fraser (1885–1960) and Beatrice Lillian Price (1892–1992). Kahl attended West Virginia University, where she studied Social Studies and earned her teaching certificate for grades 8 through 12. In 1935, during her time at the university, she was selected as one of the five most beautiful co-eds and later crowned Miss West Virginia University. A few years later, Kahl returned to graduate school to obtain her master’s degree in Social Studies.

In 1950, she met and married her husband, Cyrus Kahl, and the couple moved to Portsmouth, Ohio. Over the years, they traveled the world together. On one notable trip to Europe, Kahl was invited to have tea with Queen Elizabeth II. Around 1968, she became actively involved in the local arts scene and played a key role in organizing a major cultural event that honored artists from Portsmouth. She visited the Great Wall of China and traveled to Hong Kong, Europe, and Antarctica. Her husband died in 1971.

In 1996, while the Vern Riffe Center for the Performing Arts was under construction, Kahl recommended increasing the seating capacity based on historical audience numbers. She also made a donation that helped fund the “Kahl Black Box Theatre.” Later, Kahl received a letter from the Ohio Senate recognizing her service and contributions to the Portsmouth Area Arts Council Board. A member of the Second Presbyterian Church, she was honored as Woman of the Year in 2016.

Alma Kahl passed away at Hill View Retirement Center in Portsmouth, Ohio, USA, on 3 March 2023, at the age of 111 years, 240 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Alma Kahl celebrates 108th birthday” – The Daily Times (Portsmouth), 6 July 2019

* “Portsmouth woman celebrates 110th birthday” – The Daily Times (Portsmouth), 6 July 2021

* Alma Fraser Kahl – Find A Grave

* Alma Kahl Obituary – The Daily Times (Portsmouth)

GALLERY