Donald C. Knodel

Donald C. Knodel

Donald Knodel, age 81, died October 30, 2012, in Glen Mills, PA. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia, to Charles and Dora Knodel.

In 1941 the family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, and Don attended Mount Pleasant schools. In 1949 he was graduated from P.S. du Pont High School. From 1952 to 1954 he served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. In 1957 he was graduated from Muhlenberg College with a B.A. in Physics. He was a Delawarean for many years until his move in 2006 to Maris Grove in Glen Mills, PA.

His working career was spent in Wilmington primarily with the Textile Fibers division of the Du Pont Company. The main thrust of his career was in fabric and garment flammability research, assessing the heat transfer of fibers in fabrics and in garment styling to reduce potential burn injuries. He was a member of the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) and served on sub-committees for Fire Standards, Textiles, and Sports and Facilities. He served on a committee of the National Fire Protection Association and the International Standards Organization. In 1991 ASTM selected Don as a recipient of its Award of Merit. This award also conferred the title of Fellow of the Society, the highest award ASTM gives its members. The citation read: "For his outstanding leadership in Committee D-13 on Textiles and his exceptional contributions to the development of textile flammability standards."

For many years Don was involved with the Boy Scouts of America. He attained the rank of Eagle and was the first Lutheran scout in Delaware to receive the Pro Deo et Patria badge.

Don was an active member of the reunion committee for the P.S. du Pont class of 1949, the "Forty Niners." For 37 years Don and his wife lived in Crestfield, a north Wilmington community of 28 homes. Crestfield had its own water company, which was the smallest regulated utility in the State of Delaware. Don served on the board of directors; in addition to participating in the general operations of the company, it was his privilege to read meters and to dig ditches in search of water leaks.

He was a long-time member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Wilmington, and served on the Congregation Council and as financial secretary. He tutored inner-city youth at the Hilltop Lutheran Neighborhood Center, where he also served on the board.

Don began a collection of orchid plants that was displayed in his year-round sunroom. He was delighted when his favorite white cattalyea bloomed and his sprays of delicate phalaenopsis adorned the space. Don and his wife Pat were indefatigable travelers in the United States and abroad. Travels to countries in Europe, the Middle East, Australia-New Zealand, and the Far East were marvelous adventures and precious memories. They created slide shows with taped commentary to be used as presentations in various places, including the Academy of Life Long Learning. Since 1995 they spent winters in Fort Myers, Florida, enjoying the many activities and the host of friends at The Groves, as well as association with Peace Lutheran Church.

Don is survived by Patricia, his wife of 59 years; two sons - David Knodel and children Alyson and Charles of Morrisville, PA; Douglas Keith Knodel, his wife Donna, and children Shannon, Brian, and Brendon of Wilmington. He is also survived by a former daughter-in-law, Katherine Cartwright Knodel. He was predeceased by a sister, Marilyn Knodel.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, November 8, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 501 Duncan Road, Wilmington, DE 19809, at 11 am. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 501 Duncan Road, Wilmington, DE 19809.

There were those people, including his grandchildren, who called him R.T. That stood for Rare Treasure, and so he was.

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