Eric Veirs Knutsen

Eric Veirs Knutsen
November 10, 1942 – February 9, 2026

Pinehurst, NC – Eric V. Knutsen, 83, passed away on February 9, 2026. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, to Martha Frances Veirs. Following the passing of his mother in 1950, Eric was lovingly raised by his Aunt Eva in Vine Grove, KY. Eric earned his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Western Kentucky University in 1965. He met his great love, Valerie Lynn Knutsen (née Minati), at the Chautauqua Institution and married her on June 20, 1964. Together they raised children Erica Lynn and Derek Scott. Eric is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Valerie; his children, Erica Lynn and Derek Scott; his granddaughter, Maya Biana Beasley; his son-in-law, Louis Barrett Beasley; and his grand-dog, Hershey Beasley. His life journey included residences in Vine Grove, KY; Rochester, NY; Colorado Springs, CO; Scarsdale, NY (34 years); Victor, NY; and finally, Pinehurst, NC.

A Perpetual Creator: Engineer and Artist

Eric saw the world as a perpetual series of stories told through photography, always hunting for the perfect frame—a visual quest that led him far from home, from hitchhiking to the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair to exploring the Great Wall of China. He embodied a unique blend: the precision of an engineer and the soul of an artist. Early in his career, he applied this to the defense of the nation, delving into physics at NORAD with the US Air Force, an experience that launched his lifelong love of technology. He thrived whether as a senior engineer and product developer on the cutting edge of technology, charting a city, capturing a flower, or continuing his technical pursuits. Though travel slowed at 83, his curiosity endured, finding daily joy in birds and waging his comical, eternal battle against the neighborhood squirrels. He understood that life’s richest rewards are found in wonder, play, and taking the time to truly see.

A Perfect Choice

As his wife, I shared a life with a man who enriched my life for over 61 years. I loved the many trips we took together. We preferred to drive, so our journeys could remain unscripted, leaving room for the delight of surprises as we explored new places and cultures. He loved brainstorming with me ways to make my fifth-grade curriculum more engaging. One of my favorite traditions was having him dress up as “Mr. Wizard” each year, come into my classroom, build hands-on experiments with me, and spark excitement and wonder in the children—showing them the joy of discovery.

We complemented each other perfectly, balancing strengths and weaknesses. I'll deeply miss how we worked together to make our home truly ours, our daily conversations spanning all our years, and the warmth of his affection. He gave me nothing less than complete love.

Raised on Curiosity, Laughter, and Imagination

Dad brought his spirit of adventure and imagination to fatherhood, turning every moment into an experience for us. He shared his love for magic—whether through elaborate games that fueled the imagination or by reading stories that felt truly enchanted. He loved creating adventures for us, teaching us to see the world through his lens by having us sit patiently for the perfect photograph. This spirit extended to the real world, as he and his children shared his love for travel, where he would explore new places and cultures alongside us.

Whether exploring the depths of the ocean on night dives or scuba diving through caves with a camera in hand, he always sought the perfect moment. At home, we worked side by side on countless projects, surrounded by every kind of tool, often laughing over the spark from the table saw while cutting metal. More than any specific activity, it was the laughter, the shared jokes, and the joy in creation that defined our time together. Through it all, he taught us that there was nothing we couldn’t accomplish, leaving us with the simple, practical wisdom Dad carried still: measure twice, cut once.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

As my Pop Pop, he brought a playful imagination to every moment we spent together. In my younger years, when I got to spend the day with him and my Nana, we would hold “gavel morning meetings” with a meat tenderizer to plan our day of fun. Every outing—from the Botanical Gardens to Hershey Park, PepiCo’s headquarters, Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Disney World, and countless other adventures—was layered with imagination, often inspired by the books he loved and the worlds he would help us reenact. Later, even when he couldn’t join me in person, he loved following my golf, shot by shot, tracking my scores and the details my mother would share through her Notes app—always finding a way to be present. Above all, he made me feel how proud he was of me—not only for my accomplishments, but for who I was as a person.

The Joy of Shared Discovery

As a friend and colleague, Eric loved to share his skills, encouraged people to take uncomfortable risks, and his mischievous sense of humor was matched only by his generosity with his time. Whether it was on the tennis court, untangling a technology problem, framing the perfect photograph, planning a dive, researching the next great trip, testing a new recipe, tending a garden, or working with wood, he found joy in learning and even more joy in teasing, laughing, and delighting in the unexpected. He gave freely of what he knew, pairing patience and enthusiasm with playful wit, inviting friends into his many interests, and reminding them not to take the process—or themselves—too seriously.

Donations in Memory of Eric V. Knutsen

The family suggests a contribution to the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge — Jerome L. Greene Family Center in New York, NY, in lieu of flowers. This facility provided Eric and Valerie with exceptional support during his treatment in 2018. As Eric noted, it is where "the light of Hope...express[es] itself through those engaged in the tough health battles they face."

Donation Details:
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge — Jerome L. Greene Family Center
132 West 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001 | (212) 492-8400
Online: https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/pages/1215

Service Details
In keeping with his innovative spirit, a small, private family funeral will be held. To ensure all his cherished friends and colleagues from near and far can join us, we will host a Celebration of Life via Zoom sometime next month. Our hope is to adapt, just as he would, by embracing technology to connect and share memories across any distance.