Date of death: 5/31/2024
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1964
David Joseph Knott, 86, a lifelong resident of Elgin, IL, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rosemary Knott, and their four children: Patrick Knott, Dennis Knott, Maureen (Knott) Romaniak, and Brigid (Knott) Moody. He was a devoted papa to nine granddaughters, one grandson, and four great-grandchildren.
David graduated from St. Lawrence Elementary School and St. Edward High School (Class of ’55), both in Elgin. During his high school years, David worked at his father’s business, Bud Knott & Sons camera store on Spring Street. He took great pride in being one of 46 Knott family members to graduate from St. Edward High School over the last several decades.
David attended Saint Meinrad Seminary before earning a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s in Baltimore, and a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. His passion for teaching was not only his life’s work but also led him to meet his wife, Rosemary. They were introduced during his first teaching assignment at Bartlett School in District U-46, where she was teaching kindergarten, and he was teaching fifth grade.
David became a superintendent at Indian Plains District in Eola, IL, and at that time he was the youngest superintendent in the state. After the district merged to become Indian Prairie, he took a position at Summit School in Dundee. He left teaching for several years to open an Apple Computer store in Crystal Lake, but eventually returned to serve as the principal at St. Thomas More elementary school. This was his favorite job, as he was able to work at the school while his grandchildren were students.
His family’s best memories have always been together at Lake Delavan, WI. He loved his time at the lake and spent summers up there since he was a child. Anyone who knew David also knew about his love for Notre Dame football and cars.
David’s life was a testament to his faith and love for his family. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.
https://www.lairdfamilyfuneralservices.com/obituaries/David-J-Knott?obId=31726874