Obituary of Gary R. Knowles

Gary R. Knowles, age 78, died on January 1, 2019, after a brave and determined war with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). Preceded in death by his parents, B. Norman Knowles and Lillian (Greenberg) Knowles. Survived by his wife, Lyn Snell; children, Kimberly (Steve) DeRoche and Stephanie (Adam) Podbelski; brother, Norman Knowles; sisters, Janet Purdie and Gail Kieper; five grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and many good friends. Also survived by the mother of his children, Patricia Knowles. Gary was born in Morgan, Minnesota, and graduated from Franklin High School.  He earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Gary proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as an Electronic Warfare Officer, flying on B-52 aircraft during the Cold War. His engineering career at Honeywell included work in heat transfer, optical design, mechanical packaging, and other areas. He designed, built, repaired, tested, and analyzed. He helped develop helmet-mounted targeting systems, gyroscopes, and more. Gary held six patents related to gyroscopes and military display technology and had submitted applications for seven more. Gary’s kindness, generosity, and support for his friends were legendary. He helped others start businesses, build and repair homes and vehicles, maintain property, and learn from his vast knowledge, all with a cheerful outlook and a unique sense of humor. He owned various catamarans, and raced his boats in Minnesota and in regattas elsewhere. He was a skilled sewing machine operator, and could be counted on to help his sailing friends with sail repairs and similar needs. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Cremation Society of MN, 7110 France Ave. S., Edina. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the funeral home. Private interment, Fort Snelling National Cemetery, at a later date.