Glenn Robert Knowles, 87

January 08, 2014

Glenn Robert Knowles, 87, of Manheim, passed away peacefully at Lancaster General Hospital on Jan. 8, 2014, after a brief illness. Born in Pittsburgh on Dec. 11, 1926, he was the son of Dewey Deforrest Knowles and Ina Sanders Knowles.

He was the beloved husband of Barbara Himes Knowles, and the couple celebrated 61 years of marriage in July. There could be no father more devoted, and he is survived by his children: Laura Knowles (wife of George Callanan), Lititz; Paul Knowles (husband of Judy Knowles), Texas; Pam (wife of Terry Griffe), Lititz; and Deborah (wife of Darryl Hill), State College. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Sarah Snyder, Sean Snyder, Megan Callanan, Michael Knowles, Darryl Matthew Hill and Taylor Hill. His brother Donald Knowles (husband of Carolyn Knowles), Ohio, survives, as well as his nieces Lynn, Jan and Gail, all of Ohio.

He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines, He graduated from Syracuse University in 1950 with degree in business administration. Watching Syracuse football and basketball games was one of his biggest passions, and he was thrilled about Syracuse’s Basketball victory over Villanova on Dec. 28th. He graduated from Verona High School, Verona, N.J. in 1944, and was captain of the track team, winning state and national awards as a sprinter. He was the pride of his high school and the town of Verona when he competed in Olympic trials in track. An all-around athlete, he was an excellent swimmer and played golf whenever possible. He was fond of fishing, taking his family on vacations to Canada, Maine, New Hampshire and Cape Cod, where fishing for trout, bass or blues was a highlight.

He worked at RCA for 35 years in personnel management, at locations throughout the country, including the Record Division in New York City, in Camden, N.J. and in Chicago, before being transferred to Lancaster. Following his retirement, he began a new career at Longeneckers Tru-Value Hardware, Manheim, where he worked until he was 80. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Lititz.

A Funeral Mass will be held 11 AM Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at St. James Catholic Church, 505 Woodcrest Ave., Lititz, PA, with Rev. James O’Blaney C.Ss.R., as Celebrant. A Visitation will take place 10-11 AM on Tuesday at the church. Private Interment in Moravian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, So. Central PA Chapter, Inc., 610 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603.