Thinking of you & Bill. Two of the most compassionate & kind gentlemen I ever knew. I am blessed to have these memories of you both.

I am so grateful that I attended WHHS and had Mr. Knab for History.  What I remember most about his class is his allowing me to indulge my interests and relate them to what he taught us.  One example:  I fancied myself a poet / songwriter.  When we were studying a unit on the Temperance movement, I became fascinated with Carrie Nation, the woman who went around town smashing bars with her hatchet.  I came to class one day and rushed to tell him that I had written a poem about Carrie Nation which I titled “The Night They Drove Old Minsky’s Down.” Moreover, I had set it to music ~ or rather I set it to the melody of Joan Baez’s “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”  He asked me if I wanted to sing it in front of the class.  Of course, I did!  I was proud of my efforts. As I look back, I am sure my classmates thought I was nuts, but Mr. Knab didn’t.  I could sense that he was proud of me ~ and delighted that what he had taught impacted me so.  RIP Mr. Knab.  You were one of the best!

I'll never forget Mr. Knab's ancient & medieval history class in '69-'70.  At that age (ninth grade) I detested history and he completely changed that.  The most memorable line I remember is "Anyone who speaks English and has not studied Shakespeare is an uneducated clod."  And when one of my fellow students persisted in acting up in class, he glared at him and said "You are so damnable!"  The kid straightened up for the rest of the year.  RIP, Mr. Knab.

My uncle Joe was a one of a kind, Growing up he was always there for us, he was generous and kind and never said a bod thing about anyone. Even near his last days when asked how are you? He always answered NEVER BETTER

To me he is Dr Knab. He could have taught at any of the top universities, yet he chose to grace us with his presence at Walnut Hills. I was so lucky. He was one of three teachers from my high school years who truly helped prepare me for college, graduate school and life. 
Diane B Wiesen-Todd, Scottsdale. AZ   Class of '64

He taught us (or tried) Ancient and Medieval History, proving once again that education is wasted on the Young!  Truly, Mr. Knabb had a passion for history, and he planted the seed of curiousity and discovery in us for a lifetime.  
Mike Meisel '62

I am coming in late with this but just wanted you to know that I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Knab's history classes - one of my favorite and most memorable teachers, all those years ago (like - about 55 of them, once I count them).  Sincere sympathies on his loss but I know he will live on in the memories of many students.

My sincerest condolences to Mr. Knab's family and loved ones. 

 He was a truly great and unforgettable teacher.  All these years later, I can still picture him in his starched white shirt and cuff links and still date most events by their distance from the Black Hawk Indian War.

 He influenced many so many lives and is probably the subject of more WHHS memories than any other teacher of his era. He lives on through their many stories.  May his memory be a blessing.

So sorry for your loss   But he left an impact on all his students which he should be proud of.  Prayers for all the Knab family.

I still remember much of the Code of Hammurabi.  Mr. Knab ignited a lifelong love to history for me.  He was an inspiring and demanding teacher and I was fortunate to have learned from him.

I was in Mr. Knab's AP European History class in 1976-77, and found him to be a wonderful teacher, who inspired in me a lifelong love of the subject.  I recall as well his dry sense of humor.  When our class lost focus and would screw around, he would observe "cast not pearls before swine, lest they trod on them", or "little things delight little minds", either of which was enough to get us back on track.  He appreciated students and treated us as adults, and students respected him in turn.  A kind and gentle man, who inspired generations of students.

Mr. Knab was truly a wonderful teacher, and inspired in me a lifelong love of European history.  I also recall his dry sense of humor.  When our AP European History class (1976-77) lost focus and screwed around, he would observe quietly, "cast not pearls before swine, lest they trod on them", or "little things delight little minds", either of which was usually enough to get the class back on track.  A kind and gentle man who inspired generations of students.

"When you learn, you learn for life."  Mr. Knab was a fantastic teacher and continues to be a gift of inspiration.  One of my favorite memories is when the large wooden plank along with the movie screen it held crashed down off the wall and fell about 10 feet. Mr. Knab caught it in his arms. After several tense moments of silence punctuated by some nervous chuckling from the students, he said with his typical droll calmness,  "I will remember who laughed." My condolences to the family.  The memory of the righteous is for a blessing.

Mr. Knab was a wonderful gentle man and outstanding teacher at Walnut Hills. He's one of the ones you remember even when you are 72.  Never met a kinder man. Looks  like he lived a long full life. I am happy for him.

Mr. Knab inspired me to become a history major in college and to love learning for its own sake.

Mr. Knab was a phenomenal teacher, who had a great influence on me.  Nearly 45 years after graduation, I can clearly see him standing in front of the class and hear his somewhat ghostly-sounding voice.  I remember his precision and dry humor, and his ability to bring history to life.  I always did the reading for his class--unlike some others--because I would never want to disappoint him when he asked questions in class.

To Mr. Knab's loved ones,
Mr. Knab had a profound impact on many students at Walnut Hills, including me.  He was a unique and engaging teacher.  I can still hear his voice.  Hope you can feel proud of legacy he left.

Mr. Knab was a magnificent teacher -- as great as any professor I ever had years later in college. He was elegant, precise and demanding. Those of us who had him are richer for the experience.

 How terribly sad. He was a brilliant educator who made a lasting impression on his students. What more could a teacher ask for. His classic line, "How bizarre." has remained with me for the past 40 years.

Mr. Knab exemplified what it means to be a great teacher.  I will forever be grateful for the lessons I learned both in terms of the courses he taught and the greater world around us. One of my favorite sayings of his was "Small Minds are Amused by Small Things." Rest in Peace, sir! Class of 1976.

Mr. Knab was a wonderful teacher. His engaging and very witty teaching style and his mastery of his subject profoundly influenced my love of learning. Judging from the discussion going on today at the Facebook page of my graduating class, I was far from the only one. Heartfelt condolences to his family.

He truly had a gift for making history memorable and for validating my own quirky take on the humor inherent in otherwise horrific occurrences that became permanently, well, historic. For some reason this morning I find myself thinking about the 1st (1419) & 2nd (1618) Defenestrations of Prague. His lectures definitely had a way of staying with you. And I also think he appreciated things in me it took a very long time to confidently appreciate in myself, a rarity during the time I spent @ WHHS. A VERY special, life-changing teacher I was fortunate to have for 2 years running, my condolences to his family. ~ Maxene Fabe Mulford (WHHS '61)

OBITUARY

Joseph E Knab

November 8, 1926 – May 27, 2016

Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Terrace Oaks Chapel

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