Kenneth Dahlberg

Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame
1996 Inductee

Kenneth Dahlberg (June 30, 1917 – October 4, 2011) was born in St Paul, Minnesota, and grew up on a farm near Wilson, Wis. After graduation in 1935, he worked in the hotel industry.

In 1941, Dahlberg was drafted and served with honor in World War II. A “Triple Ace” Army fighter pilot, he was decorated with several medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Air Medal and Purple Heart.

In 1948, Dahlberg and his brother Arnold, established Dahlberg Electronics. The company makes the well-known Miracle Ear. Dahlberg has dedicated his business to developing innovative hearing devices for the hearing impaired, and Miracle Ear continues to set the standard in bringing those improvements to people around the world.

Dahlberg also was the key part in the uncovering of the Watergate scandle. According to reporter Bob Woodward, a check made out to Dahlberg was an important piece connecting Watergate to President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign, though Dahlberg was never accused of any wrongdoing.

A true ‘venture capitalist’, Dahlberg has always been willing to invest in others’ business dreams, an attitude that has fostered the start of many new enterprises. In 1995, Dahlberg started the venture capital firm Carefree Capital, whose major investments include the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant chain.

Kenneth Dahlberg died at his Deephaven, MN, home. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jayne, and their three children.