Howard Charles Knott

Howard Charles Knott was born November 12, 1932 in Platte Center Nebraska. He was the middle of three boys, older brother Keith and younger brother Dean. His parents Margaret and Harry, both teachers, raised Howard and the boys in Nebraska and Iowa.

Howard spent most of his young life in Iowa graduating from New London High school. He was drafted into the Army in fall of 1953. Mary and Howard had met that summer at a blind date set up by his brother Dean. Mary went off to college while Howard served his time in Germany and France. In 1956 Howard safely returned home but on the way he stopped to renew his friendship with Mary at Rosary College in River Forest Illinois. Howard then ventured to Aurora, Illinois to attend college. Howard eventually attended Northern Illinois University and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial management. While in college, he and Mary tied the “KNOTT”. They were married at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Burlington Iowa on July 5th 1958.

Howard used his GI bill and a part-time job to make ends meet while he was finishing college and Mary began teaching. Howard landed a job at All Steel Inc. as a management trainee upon graduating. While working up the ladder at All Steel, Howard was able to pursue his MBA at the University of Chicago. He received his degree in 1968. This propelled him into a new position of Manager of Industrial Engineering. Howard was also busy raising a family during this time. Howard and Mary had just had their sixth child when Howard was recruited to move to California in 1970. In 1975, Howard and Mary had their 7th and youngest child, Brenda. Howard worked as the Vice President of Manufacturing and held other executive positions at Plan Hold Corporation until his retirement in 1990.

Howard had lots of fun after that! In 1979, Howard and Mary started the Gourmet Group. Howard taught at Fullerton College for a few years, acted in and directed many community plays at Pacific Sands Cabana Club and started an Irish band called, “The Rovers Three”. He became a wood worker and made many beautiful pieces, some of which were showcased in the San Diego and Orange Co. Fairs. Howard was an avid sailor often taking Mary and their 7 young children around Newport Harbor and even sailed with the youngest children on an excursion to Catalina Island. He and Mary went on many trips including the Holy Land, Europe, Hawaii, Tahiti and Mexico, Ireland, England and Alaska. Howard was not one to miss a party! Howard also was a devoted Catholic, active as a lector and attending the Masses wherever Mary played the organ and piano. Howard was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 9667.

Howard is preceded in death by 2 infant sons, Howard Francis and Patrick Henry. He is also preceded in death by his older brother Keith and his parents Margaret and Harry. Howard is survived by his wife of 59 years Mary Dorothy and his Children and their spouses, Kathleen and Gerard Galipeau; Michael Knott; Colleen and Robert Hammond; Bridget and Dixon Wolf; Laura and Dow Kump; Theresa and Dan Newell; Brenda and Pete Mueller. Howard & Mary have 19 grandchildren: Jon and Megan Galipeau; Stormie Knott; Kevin, Brian, Corey, and Andrew Hammond; Dune Alford, Patrick and Lily Wolf; Adam and wife Jessica, Eric and wife Missy, Janelle, and Leah Kump; Emily, Madeline, and Keelynn Newell; Isaac and Evan Mueller.

In Lieu of Flowers, please consider donations to Thomas House Shelter, Post Office Box 2737, Garden Grove, CA 92842, ph. 714-554-0357, www.thomashouseshelter.org