Donald O. Knight

Donald O. Knight, 78, died Thursday, December 7, in hospice after a long illness. Donald was born in 1928 in Clear Creek, Wisc., on his father's dairy farm. After finishing high school, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was in the submarine service as an electronic tech when at sea and played backup fulback for his commander's football team when ashore. After the service, Don enrolled at Marquette University, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. He and Mary Ann married in 1950. Over the years he worked for General Electric and Motorola. In 1968, Don enrolled at Arizona State University and earned a master's and PhD in industrial engineering/computer science. After working a few more years in industry, he joined the faculty at ASU's College of Engineering, overseeing a major project with IBM. Don enjoyed many activities, including sailing, singing, hiking, and SCUBA. In retirement, he took on many new projects, including digital photography and watercolor painting. Don's courage and positive attitude during his illiness have been an inspiration to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, sisters Barbara Coeur, Surprise, and Maureen Olson (Vern), Wausau, Wisc., and brother David (Annie) Vancouver, Wash.; sons Paul (Nancy), Naperville, Ill., and Kevin (Connie), Phoenix; daughters Patty, Laguna Niguel, Calif., Susan, Tucson, and Erin (Jack), Monument, Colo., and five grandchildren Brad, Patrick, Kristen, Daniel, and Cassidy. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations in Don's name to Hospice of Arizona, c/o Connie Frisby, 2222 W. Northern Avenue, Suite A100, Phoenix, AZ. 85021. Service will be 11AM Tuesday, December 12, 2006 @ Prince of Peace Catholic Church 14818 W. Deer Valley Road Sun City West, Arizona. Committal service wil follow @ the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona Phoenix, AZ.