William David Knowles

Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, Minnesota 56003 507-388-2288 Wm. David Knowles, M.D., born May 11, 1938, in Tracy, MN, passed away at his home on May 17, 2015, after a one-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The eighth of ten children of Roger and Madeline (Drum) Knowles, he graduated from Tracy High School in 1956. He joined the Army National Guard following high school, four months later joining the Navy (active duty). In boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, he was appointed Recruit Petty Officer First Class. He attended the Naval Hospital Corps School, graduating in June, 1957. After serving at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, Dave transferred to the Fleet Marine Force, Camp Pendleton, CA where he graduated from Field Medical Service School and served with the 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa. Following honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended Mankato State College, graduating in 1960 with majors in chemistry and biology and a minor in mathematics. At Mankato State, he was elected president of the local chapter of Sigma Zeta, National Honorary Science Society. He attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1968. Following completion of a rotating internship at St. Paul Ramsey Medical Center, he entered solo practice in Mankato for 21 years before joining the Mankato Clinic until his retirement in June, 2007. Dr. Knowles served as president of Washington Elementary PTA, President of the Blue Earth County Medical Society and Chairman of the Family Practice Department at ISJ Hospital. He served as training camp physician for the Minnesota Vikings for 35 years, attended two Super Bowls and was awarded Game Ball after defeat of the Chicago Bears on November 25, 1990. He married Ann Jones in 1964 and together they had three children; Annie Laurie, Christopher and Patrick. Dave is survived by his children Annie Laurie (Peter) Bissen, Christopher Knowles, (Melissa Donley) and Patrick (Danielle) Knowles, M.D. and seven grandchildren, Jay and Josh Bissen; Katherine, Rachel, Patrick, II, Daniel and Samuel Knowles as well as sisters Joyce (John) Visker, Betty (Richard) Ross and Judy (Hal) Soyez, many nieces and nephews, and cousins in the U.S., England and New Zealand. Dave is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ronald, Dennis and Gordon, sisters Patricia, Joan and Annie Laurie. Following retirement, Dave continued his hobbies of working on and driving his classic British sports cars, woodworking, gardening and spending time at his lake cabin. Dr. Knowles was honored and proud to be a physician, and other than his children and grandchildren, working as a family doctor gave him the most satisfaction in life. He enjoyed listening to the stories of war veterans and the elderly and never tired of getting up in the night to deliver a baby. Public visitation Friday, May 29, 2015, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Northview North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato, MN. (507) 388-2288 Memorials preferred to the Mankato Salvation Army.