Minneapolis, MN - Kenneth Howard Freed passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on June 29, 2025. He was born on Jan. 27, 1961, in New York, and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Yale.

His first love was family, and he embraced most everyone he met with similar warmth.

Ken was an ardent devotee of classical music and dedicated his life to sharing the rapture that ignited his greatest passion. His first major position was as a violinist with the acclaimed Manhattan String Quartet. Ken spent most of his career — 27 years — as a violist with the Minnesota Orchestra, a position he held at death. With the orchestra and on his own, he toured Cuba, Europe, South Africa, and Vietnam, giving concerts, lessons, and making new friends. He worked tirelessly to bring classical music to people everywhere, serving as music director of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra for 12 seasons, and playing viola with the Rosalyra String Quartet and the Isles Ensemble.

Ken co-founded Learning Through Music, a non-profit that uses music to improve children's ability to absorb new knowledge. He pressed for increased state funding for music education in public schools and strongly advocated for music in the community, especially through Walker West Music Academy in St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood.

It was music that also tied his heart. Ken met and married Gwendolyn, the love of his life, at Greenwood Music Camp, and the family enjoyed many happy summers there with inspiring students and beloved friends.

Ken's parents, Seymour and Ruth Freed, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Gwen, and sons Zachary (Shirley Galbiati) and Jonah, and daughter Nellie (Logan McMillen). He also leaves to grieve his passing grandsons Felix and Ambrose Galbiati Freed, Ames Foster McMillen and sisters Gail and Donna Freed.

He was a fountain of stories, wit, kindness, and love.

Ken's life will be celebrated at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at Temple Israel, 2323 Fremont Ave S, Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent in Ken's memory to the Minnesota Orchestra or Walker West Music Academy.