Dr. Fred Milano, age 84, of Boone, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2026 at Amorem Hospice in Valdese, NC.

He is survived by his wife, Edie; two stepchildren, Bonnie Brown of Sarasota, FL and George Brown (Sandra) of Kaiserslautern, Germany; two grandchildren, Ayla Rutherford and Fina Brown; sister, Anita Kirkner (Donald); brother, Vinny Milano; nieces, Kimberly Shores, Karen March, and Erin Jenkins; and nephews, Bradford Jenkins and Geoffrey Jenkins.

He was born January 2, 1942 in Coatesville, PA to his Italian immigrant parents, the late Elmer and Peta Aseto Milano. Growing up in a blue-collar family of steelworkers, he was the first in his family to go to college.  He attended Penn State University, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in business administration.  He worked his way through college as a waiter, mail carrier, and window washer.  After graduating in 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, attended Officer's Training School in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.  He served from 1963 to 1968 during the Vietnam War, rising to the rank of Captain.  As a logistics officer, his duty assignments took him to Sacramento, CA, and Wichita Falls, TX, then overseas to Chambly, France and Athens, Greece.

Following his military service, he was employed first a CPA firm in Denver, CO, then afterwards as a cost accountant with a national automotive company in Longmont, CO.  Two years later, he decided to further education on the G.I. Bill and enrolled at the University of Colorado.  To supplement his income, he worked as a manager of an 7-11 store.  He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology in 1972.  An outstanding student, he graduated Summa Cum Laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honor society in the United States.  He went on to earn his Master's Degree in 1973 and Doctorate Degree in 1977 from Penn State University.

He served on the faculty at Appalachian State University for twenty-eight years, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2004.  In addition to a long and distinguished teaching career, he was also the author of numerous professional publications in books and scholarly journals.  Moreover, he produced a groundbreaking documentary film about women veterans of the Vietnam War.

As a delegate of North Carolina's Council for International Understanding (NCCIU), he traveled to Russia, Spain, Canada, and the Netherlands. After both he and his wife retired, they traveled extensively throughout Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean.

Fred was drawn to music early in life.  He began as a drummer in his Pennsylvania high school marching band, and in college played drums in a rock n' roll band. Growing up in the 50's and 60's near Philadelphia, he became a fan of the jitterbug dance style. After relocating to the south in the 70's, he learned the Carolina Shag and became president of the Boone Shag Club for three years.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 4:00 to 6:30 P.M. at the American Legion, 333 Wallingford Street, Blowing Rock, NC.

Family, friends, former students, colleagues, and all who knew Dr. Milano are warmly invited to stop by and celebrate his remarkable life and enduring legacy.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.