Fred Vehmeier

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Fred Vehmeier (July 28, 1888 – July 13, 1970) was an American college football player and coach. He was born in Rock City, Illinois, and grew up in the Dakota region, going to high school in Dixon, Illinois. He played football at Beloit College from 1909 to 1910 as a left end and was named an all-state end in 1909. He also played freshman football as a tackle and baseball at the University of Illinois in 1911. His playing career included several injuries, including a serious one in 1909.

In 1912, while still finishing his time at Illinois, Vehmeier worked as a traveling agent for International Harvester. In October 1912 he was hired as the head football coach at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. The team finished 1–4 that season, but they had a memorable win over North Dakota Agricultural (3–0), which was celebrated as a sign of progress. Local papers praised Vehmeier’s coaching and described him as a strong, capable leader.

After the 1912 season Vehmeier returned to Illinois and did not coach UND again. He married Bessie B. Leamon in November 1915 in Waterloo, Iowa, and they had a son named George. By 1916 he worked for the Honduras Land Company. He later served in World War I and eventually worked as a real estate agent.

Fred Vehmeier died on July 13, 1970, in Rockford, Illinois, at age 81. His wife died in October 1969.