Gerald A. "Red" KNIGHT

KNIGHT, LAGUE, BRYAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/25/2010 at 14:17:48

Gerald A. "Red" Knight

MASON CITY, IA - Red Knight, of Mason City, passed to his final reward on Thursday (May 13, 2010). He was born at Goldfield, on Jan. 12, 1909. He relished a very long and fulfilling life of 101 years, four months, one day. The world has changed a lot since then. Transportation in those days was by horse or foot. On cold winter days he ice skated to and from school on the Boone River, which ran through their farm just north of Goldfield. The advanced technology of his early days was listening to KDKA in Pittsburgh on his homemade galena crystal radio with head phones, cat whiskers and a coil wrapped around a cylindrical oatmeal box. Shortly before his death he had a guest spot in a video on YouTube, having thus experienced a wide range of change. After graduation, he chose not to continue on the family farm and paid his way to attend college. The Depression caused him to stop in favor of full time employment. He spent 13 years boning beef in the Swift Packing Company of Sioux City before being able to complete college and begin his career as a school teacher and administrator. Along the way a master's degree was added. Students in Hartley, Britt, Farrar, Delta, Numa, Bridgewater, Randall, Blairstown and Mount Pleasant often contacted him years later to express their respect and appreciation. Retirement came in 1972, but clearly marked the beginning of yet another career, this one in and about Rowan. He became heavily involved in Rowan life. Through the Lions club he attended international conventions and ran a very active international youth exchange program. Many students from around the globe experienced memorable times in North Central Iowa, and quite a few local students had their eyes opened at homes in foreign lands. Red was instrumental in starting and running the Rowan Community Apartments. Promoting and aiding the Rowan Library became a special project. Town Council and United Church of Rowan were also ways he helped. Reading books onto tape for the blind came into his repertoire. And only those he so quietly helped in many ways know about it. In 2000 he had lived alone for 24 years since his wife Robin passed. At age 91 he moved to Mason City to be with son, Robert, in Homestead Assisted Living. There he continued his community activism quietly helping other residents and the facility.

He was preceded in death by cherished wife, Robinette nee LaGue, of Rowan, whom he married in 1933 and who became his life's partner and helpmate through good times and bad. Those who also went ahead are his parents, Thomas A. and Blanche M. Knight; brother, Clyde; and son, Robert (Pete). He is survived by his son, Rod (wife Barb) of Valley City, Ohio; granddaughter, Terri Bryan and great-grandchildren, Dan, Maddy and Timothy (Tee) Bryan of Maumee, Ohio as well as cousins, nephews and nieces.

A memorial service followed by a luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, at The Homestead Assisted Living, 2501 W. State St., Mason City. Inurnment is about 2:30 p.m. at Goldfield's Glenwood Cemetery, northwest of town. Bower Lodge 464 AF&AM will conduct a graveside Masonic service. The citizens of Rowan are hosting coffee at 4 p.m. in the United Church of Rowan. Family and friends are welcome at any and all of these celebrations of his life. No flowers, please, but memorial contributions may be sent to the Rowan Lions Club, in care of Berne Ketchum, Box 156, Rowan IA 50470. For information call 330-604-0442. Funeral arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Iowa
May 25, 2010