Richard J. McKnight

Richard J. McKnight

Richard J. ("Dick") McKnight, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a faithful friend, and a salesman whose profession was his calling, passed away peacefully at his home on November 13, 2025, at the age of 84.

Born on February 21, 1941, in Toledo, Ohio, Dick was the son of the late John R. and Kathryn (Jones) McKnight. He graduated from Macomber High School in 1959 and attended the University of Toledo. Dick married the love of his life, Josephine Buffy, on November 7, 1964. They celebrated 61 years of marriage this month.

Dick loved life and lived every moment to its fullest. Throughout his life, Dick exemplified kindness, integrity, and generosity, inspiring countless lives with his positive spirit, boundless energy, and love for God and family.

For Dick, sales, which he viewed as helping others solve problems, was his true calling. He began his career as a draftsman at American Warming & Ventilating, Inc., before quickly moving into sales, and was promoted to Vice President when he was just 32 years old. His career continued as Executive Vice President at Mestek, Inc. before he started his own firm, Architectural Elements, in 2002. Although he officially retired at 80, his love for sales and connection led him back to work with International Business Products at 81, a job he held until his death.

Dick was an active member of the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA), where he was elected to various leadership roles, including Chairman of the Board and President. He mentored youth in Junior Achievement Toledo, an organization which he loved and excelled in as a teenager; was active in the Toledo Sales and Marketing Executives Club, which he led as president; and proudly served his country in the Ohio Air National Guard.

Dick's faith was central throughout his life. He was an active member of every church to which he belonged, from serving as an usher at St. Paul Lutheran Church when he was a teenager, to chairing fundraising campaigns at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church as an adult. At the time of his death, he was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Maumee. The highlight of his week was attending Mass on Sunday at St. Joseph's, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and Coordinator.

Dick loved sports, especially golf, tennis, and fishing. He won multiple golf tournaments and achieved a hole-in-one at Ponte Vedra Ocean Course in 1990. He was also a skilled woodworker, leaving behind treasured pieces, including special beds he lovingly built for his grandchildren.

Dick loved spending time with his family and was happiest when his entire clan was around the table enjoying a meal or playing a game together. He also enjoyed traveling with family and had traveled to all 50 states. Dick was a true people person, who never met a stranger.

Dick will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Josephine; his children, Lisa (Scott) Jackson, Cynthia McKnight, Jodi (Steve) Wahl, and Christopher McKnight; and grandchildren, Jonathan, Katherine, and Matthew Jackson, and Emily Wahl. He is also survived by his sister, Gail M.W. Huffman-Joley; and many other loving extended family members and friends.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant Street, Maumee, on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Maumee, on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with Father Keith Stripe officiating. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Off the Streets Toledo or St. Joseph Catholic Church.

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