| Graduation Year | Class of 1965 |
| Date of Passing | Feb 05, 2018 |
| About | Dr. Bernard Wayne Knott March 10, 1947 - February 05, 2018 U.S. Veteran Dr. Bernard Wayne Knott passed peacefully into life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ surrounded by members of his earthly family on Monday, February 5, 2018. He was known by family and friends as a variety of names – Wayne, Bernard, Bernie, Babe, Dad, Papa, Doctor Knott and Doc and was loved and admired by many. The oldest child of Mary Anna Michael Knott of Charles Town, WV, and the late Bernard Anthony Knott, he was born on March 10, 1947, in Frederick, MD, and was raised on a dairy farm. In 1970, he married the love of his life, Adele Abrahamson. In addition to Adele, he leaves behind his legacy in his children, their spouses and grandchildren: John and Melissa Knott, Rudy, Leila and Riese (Ranson, WV); Matthew and Laura Knott, Alexis, Zachary and Sierra (Harpers Ferry, WV) ; Mark Knott and Rachel Hochman (Woodstock, VT); Rebekah and Barry Bridgette, Anthony, Emma and Jackson (Bakersfield, CA); Luke and Kristine Knott, Cooper and Paige (Martinsburg, WV) ; and Sarah and Nathan Cross, Hendrick (Martinsburg, WV). He is also survived by his siblings and spouses: Barbara and Tom DeRocher (Middletown, MD); Patricia and Bob Funk (Charles Town, WV); and Doug and Diane Knott (Charles Town, WV), and many cousins, nephews and nieces. A firm believer in the power of education, he earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and secondary education from Shepherd College, a master’s degree in environmental science from Shippensburg University (PA) and his doctorate in educational technology from Nova Southeastern University (FL), all while working full-time to support his family. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving as a computer specialist during the Vietnam War. Dr. Knott began his teaching career at Martinsburg High, then worked for Berkeley County Schools, before transferring to Jefferson County Schools where he was a teacher and later an administrator. He was assistant principal at Jefferson High School from 2004 until his retirement in 2012. He was most fulfilled in those roles in working with at-risk youth and helping them make it through school to become active members of society. In addition to his employment, he was very active with the Kiwanis Club of Shepherdstown, WV Kiwanis Key Club Committee, St. Agnes Parish, Blue Ridge Rabbit & Cavy Club, the Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Jefferson County Fair Board of Directors and was the Jefferson County 4-H rabbit project advisor. He was a mentor and role model for many young people throughout the state of WV through his work in education and with the Key Club. His interests and hobbies were wide and varied -- gardening, reading (especially science fiction!), raising rabbits, building things and traveling the world with his beloved wife, especially as an ambassador for Kiwanis International. Family and friends gathered on December 23, 2017, for a Celebration of Life (living wake) at the Clarion Hotel in Harpers Ferry. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Shepherdstown, WV, on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 11:00 am, with Rev. Dr. Mat Rowgh officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the WV Key Club District Foundation, c/o Mrs. Jan Shelburne, One Bank Plaza, Wheeling, WV 26003 or the St. Agnes Scholarship l Fund, PO Box 1603, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. |
