"So sorry to hear. Tell Emily we hope to see her sometime when she comes to Des Moines."
In loving memory of
Michael J. Knott
November 13, 1947 - February 11, 2016
MICHAEL KNOTT
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Michael J. Knott, 68, of Muscatine, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Visitation will be from 3 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Muscatine Art Center or the Muscatine Humane Society. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com
Mike was the youngest of eight children and was born on November 13, 1947, in Muscatine, the son of Edward M. and Dorothy M. Holzhauer Knott. He was a graduate of Muscatine High School, Class of 1965. He graduated from Utah State University as a wildlife biologist in 1970.
He married Susan Lorber in 1971 and she preceded him in death in 1990. He married Pamela Schmidt on May 30, 1992.
Mike started with Stanley Consultants in 1971 and received his career service award in June of 2003. He retired in March of 2013, as Chief of Environmental Services, after 43 years, which was 42 years longer than he originally planned. He received the Senior Scientist of the Year Award from the Quad Cities Engineering and Science Council.
He had been an antique collector for most of his life, and enjoyed looking for Native American artifacts. He was also a member of the Blackhawk Stamp Club and was an ardent stamp collector. In the mid 1970's, he belonged to the Quad Cities Rose and Garden Club with his brother, Roger, and grew orchids. He served as a trustee on the Muscatine Art Center for 12 years and for many years was a member of the collection committee. He was a University of Iowa wrestling fan. He was also a loyal but dispirited Detroit Lions football fan; he loved to golf; and was also known for his sense of humor. He was a "very good" napper.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Pamela Knott of Muscatine; two daughters, Emily Weaver and husband, David, of Rippey, and Erica Eichhorn and husband, Eric, of Coralville; one step-son, Rob Schmidt and wife, Andrea, of Wilton; five grandchildren; and two brothers, William Knott and wife, Mary, of Denver, Colorado, and Jerry Knott and wife, Annette, of Portland, Oregon.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; four brothers, Edward, Roger, David, and Richard; and one sister, Sylvia Moyers.
Tributes
"Mike was a wonderful man, full of charm (hidden by humor) and knowledge. I was fortunate enough to work with Mike at Stanley Consultants but my memories of him and Pam go back to my days as a waitress at Riverside Restaurant when they would come in for supper, read the paper and work on the crossword puzzles. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to you, Pam, and your family."
"Mike's humor, wit, and genuine kindness set him apart from the crowd. He truly left his mark on the world, and he will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences go out to Mike's family. May fond memories ease your pain at this difficult time."
"Pam - Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. I will miss his stories and great sense of humor."
"Rest in peace Mike. May your journey to Heaven be paved with Butterflies. Your friends at Helms & Associates will miss you for ever."
"Pam - Joyce and I were sorry to here of Mike's passing. I'm glad wee had time to talk on Saturday night of our 50th Class reunion. I sincerely expected to get to the visitation this afternoon, but Joyce was admitted to the University Hospital yesterday for pneumonia. She is expected to be there for a couple of days. I will be with her today so will have to miss Mike's memorial. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family."
"To Pam and everyone in Mike's families, I just wanted to give you my deepest, deepest sympathy for your loss. He and I were good friends at MHS, but had only seen each other on a few occasions since we graduated. I had the joy of a long, long reminiscence with him at our 50th reunion just last September. It was like no time at all had passed since we had last talked. And laughed. God, how he could make me laugh. And it was really, really just like the Mike I knew to sign up for organ and tissue donation. He and I talked a little about that in September, and I think we did, too, Pam. Anyway, I'm proud that he thought enough of me to be a friend, and I'm sorry he's gone so soon."
"Our sympathy to Mike's family. May a memory comfort your heart. Mike was a man of ethics and knowledge so celebrate his life in a fun way. God Bless."
"Mikes passion for Styrofoam coffee cups and saddle shoes always set him apart for the crowd while I was at Stanley. He was quick with a greeting, sometimes a good story and always an opinion on something. I was working overseas when he retired and only got to see him a few times after. I'd like to think of him as a friend, and I will miss him. My deepest condolences to the family, he was truly one of a kind."
"Pam and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Some of my favorite memories are of working with you and for Mike at SCI. Mike just had a way of making everyone feel good. God bless and keep you always."
"Pam, Duane Johnson and Mike were the best of friends and Duane sat by me for most of my 25 years at Stanleys. Mike is one of those guys who I always knew would make me smile with his interpretation of life. He was a gift to so many and his view of life and others will be missed. He also thought the world of family and was always where family was. He will be missed and our prayers are with you. Dave Moritz "
"Pam, So sorry for your loss. You're in our thoughts and prayers. All our love, Mark & Kay Flanders"
"Mike has been my friend for many years. We shared laughs and stories whenever we were together. I particularly recall his memories of college and his "cowboy" days. I will miss Mike's easy manner and sense of humor."
"When my family moved to Muscatine from a war-torn country of Liberia, Mike and his wife Pam shared their love, care and concern for me and my family. Mike and Pam provided household furniture, appliances, clothing, etc. Mike used his pick-up truck to haul items that were donated by others in the community. We consider him and Pam as part of our Liberian family. We love you, Mike, and will surely miss you. Pam, you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers. "
"Mike, the gentleman and of generous heart. Very sad to hear of his passing. My sympathies to all the family."
"Rest in peace my friend. A lot of good times come to mind when I think of going out after school. Thanks for keeping me out of trouble, you were a good friend. "
"I am sad to hear of the passing of Mike. I had the joy of working closely and golfing with him for many years with Stanley Consultants. He had a unique sense of humor, and always interesting and fun to be with. Will miss him a lot. From the Villages, Florida Steve Yankee "
"Sorry for your loss. Had a lot of good times with Mike in school. Rest in peace my friend. "
"Dear Pam, so very saddened to hear of Mikes passing. so very many fond memories of him as we grew up. Was fortunate to see him several times last year and he will be missed by all who knew him."
"So sorry for your loss Pam. Though it was brief, it was very nice seeing you and Mike at last years reunion. God bless you Pan. Rest in Peace Mike"
"I got to know Mike pretty well when Stanley helped Alter Company with several large projects. Mike had broad knowledge that helped greatly. He was always a gentleman and had an enjoyable sense of humor. I'm sure he will be missed by very many people. "
"To Pam and all of Mike's family, I am so sorry for your loss. After high school, I only saw Mike at our class reunions, the last time being just this past Sept. Even though years passed between reunions, it always seemed we could pick up the thread of the conversation where it left off five years before. I'm saddened to think there will be no more conversations. My deepest condolences to you."
"Pam, I am deeply saddened by Mike's passing. I always looked forward to visiting Mike when I was in town. When I was with Stanleys in the early to mid 90's, we golfed and laughed alot. He was the best! I loved him as a brother. Blessings to you Pam and to your family "
"I went to school with Mike and he was always a gentleman. He always had a smile and something positive to say. A cool guy. "
"As a new member of the stamp club, I didn't know Mike for very long, but really enjoyed his sense of humor and candid outlook. He really knew his stamps and readily shared his knowledge with me. I will miss him. "
"Mike was a great guy. With both of our last names beginning with "K", we sat by/near each other through jr. high and high school, so got to know each other well. I was so glad to get to see him at our reunion and have a short visit. My condolences to you all. "
"Pam I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers."
"I went to school with Mike from day one in kindergarten through graduation at MHS. He was a great friend. I was in the hospital when our 50 year reunion took place. I was looking forward to visiting with him. I missed my chance."
"Grew up with Mike on Newell Avenue and went all through school together. Was so glad I got to visit with him at the reunion."
"I remember many great times working with Mike at Stanley Consultants. He was a great person and worker. "
"I'll miss his sense of humor and his toothpaste all over the sink."