Robert Gerald Knoll

NAPLES, Fla. – Robert Gerald Knoll, age 89, former local resident, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2014, in Naples, Florida. He was born March 27, 1925, near Whitewater, Indiana, to Robert G. and Pauline Hiatt Knoll. Gerald was a graduate of Whitewater High School and pursued a formal education in engineering, accounting, and law, graduating from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. During World War II Gerald was a First Sergeant in the Marine Corps, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations. After World War II he participated in the First and Second Atomic Bomb Tests at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Gerald’s achievements included participation in construction of 130 Water and Waste Treatment Facilities in the United States and the Caribbean Islands. He participated in construction and maintenance of the Cape Canaveral Aerospace Launch Complex and the Atlantic Missile Test Range. Gerald was instrumental in developing the Florida Everglades National Park and the Key Largo and Bahia Honda Florida State Parks. In March 1966 he was recognized for assistance in the under-water recovery of an “H-bomb” in the Alboran Sea, west of Almeria, Spain, following a collision of a B-52 bomber and K-C 135 refuel plane. His professional career ended as Chief Operating Officer of one of America’s oldest opthamalic equipment manufacturing companies with world-sales. In retirement, he pursued Medieval History and Genealogical studies. Gerald was a former Sunday school teacher and Boy Scout and Explorer Scout leader. He was a 31-year member of Miami, Florida, Downtown Lions Club, where he was a delegate to the 1969 International Convention in Tokyo, Japan. Gerald was active with Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and was a member of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, American Water Works Association, Cost Accountants Association, Toastmasters International, Executives’ Association of Greater Miami, and life-long member of the Methodist Church. Survivors include his children, Darline L. Knoll-Nystrom, Robert W. Knoll, and Bradley G. Knoll, all of Florida; sisters, Katheryne Saint-Amour of Maryland and Myrna (Jim) Peters of Richmond, Indiana; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 66 years, Charline Stults Knoll. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: North Naples United Methodist Church, 6000 Goodlette Road North, Naples, FL 34109. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Robert Gerald Knoll

March 27, 1925 - May 6, 2014