Obituary for George H. Knouse
George H. Knouse, 85, passed away Monday, April 22, 2019 at his home in Shepherdstown surrounded by his loving brother Foster “Wib” Knouse, sister-in-law Debbie Knouse, and sister Dolores Knouse Poulin.
He was born on June 17, 1933 in Washington, DC to the late Wilbert and Eva Knouse and had six brothers and sisters.
He graduated Montgomery Blair High School in 1951 and from Catholic University with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1955. He later completed his Master’s Degree in Communications and Management at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. After that he had various jobs in NJ, NY, MD and finally NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, until he retired in 1988.
He married Eileen Laferty in Cheltenham, PA in 1959. George and Eileen loved to travel together. Some of their trips included Ireland, Greece, and Australia. Their beloved daughter and only child, Laura, was a Montgomery County police officer who later became a detective and passed away in 2001. She was a bright light lost far too soon with a passion for helping abused children in her police detective work. After retiring in Shepherdstown, WV in 1989, George spent many years volunteering for Meals on Wheels in Jefferson County, and also volunteered tutoring students in math in Jefferson County schools. George also had many hobbies after retirement, including creating an impressive HO model train layout in his basement. He also spent years completely refurbishing a 1966 Mercedes. George suffered a major stroke in 2010 and spent 3 years at Canterbury Center nursing home. After his wife Eileen passed away in 2012, he spent the remaining years of his life at his home in Shepherdstown in the care of his brother and sister-in-law. Always ready for a challenge, George acquired a passion for doing puzzles, and completed hundreds of them, many 1000 pieces or more. In spite of his great disabilities, he loved life and seeing his family and friends, and had a very special love for children.
He is survived by his son-in-law Chris and wife Tanya Bohrer of Damascus, MD; grandson, Nick Bohrer. A soon-to-be graduate student at Kansas State University; several siblings, nieces, and nephews, and many loving family members and friends.
The Knouse family would like to give special thanks to his loving devoted former aides Laura Leuters, Becca Wexsel, and Patti Goldbranson. Patti gave George such excellent loving end-of-life care the last 7 days of his life.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 3:00 PM at Brown Funeral Home, 327 W. King St., Martinsburg, WV 25401.
He was born on June 17, 1933 in Washington, DC to the late Wilbert and Eva Knouse and had six brothers and sisters.
He graduated Montgomery Blair High School in 1951 and from Catholic University with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1955. He later completed his Master’s Degree in Communications and Management at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. After that he had various jobs in NJ, NY, MD and finally NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, until he retired in 1988.
He married Eileen Laferty in Cheltenham, PA in 1959. George and Eileen loved to travel together. Some of their trips included Ireland, Greece, and Australia. Their beloved daughter and only child, Laura, was a Montgomery County police officer who later became a detective and passed away in 2001. She was a bright light lost far too soon with a passion for helping abused children in her police detective work. After retiring in Shepherdstown, WV in 1989, George spent many years volunteering for Meals on Wheels in Jefferson County, and also volunteered tutoring students in math in Jefferson County schools. George also had many hobbies after retirement, including creating an impressive HO model train layout in his basement. He also spent years completely refurbishing a 1966 Mercedes. George suffered a major stroke in 2010 and spent 3 years at Canterbury Center nursing home. After his wife Eileen passed away in 2012, he spent the remaining years of his life at his home in Shepherdstown in the care of his brother and sister-in-law. Always ready for a challenge, George acquired a passion for doing puzzles, and completed hundreds of them, many 1000 pieces or more. In spite of his great disabilities, he loved life and seeing his family and friends, and had a very special love for children.
He is survived by his son-in-law Chris and wife Tanya Bohrer of Damascus, MD; grandson, Nick Bohrer. A soon-to-be graduate student at Kansas State University; several siblings, nieces, and nephews, and many loving family members and friends.
The Knouse family would like to give special thanks to his loving devoted former aides Laura Leuters, Becca Wexsel, and Patti Goldbranson. Patti gave George such excellent loving end-of-life care the last 7 days of his life.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 3:00 PM at Brown Funeral Home, 327 W. King St., Martinsburg, WV 25401.