Dr. Charles D. Knecht,V.M.D., M.S.

Dr. Charles Daniel Knecht, 79, died Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at St. Joseph Hospital in Asheville, NC. A native of Halethorpe, Maryland, he was son of the late Frank Anthony and Mary Theresa (Lillian Valentini) Smith. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his loving wife, L. Jean Hanna Knecht on June 2, 1985. Dr. Knecht graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and received his B. S. in Agriculture from the University of Maryland, veterinary doctorate degree (V. M. D.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois. After large and small animal practice in Richmond, VA, he served as USAF Captain and base veterinarian in Reno, NV and was the regional inspector for the Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board from 1956 – 1958 and remained in the USAF reserves until 1970. He was in private veterinary practice in Pittsburg, PA and Towson, MD from 1958-1964. He entered academic veterinary practice in 1964, advancing through positions to associate professor at the University of Illinois, professor and chief of veterinary surgery at both the University of Georgia and Purdue University, and professor and head of the department of Small Animal Surgery and Medicine at Auburn University from 1979 to 1997, retiring as professor emeritus. Professor Knecht held membership in numerous professional honorary societies including Phi Zeta, Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta, Phi Beta Delta international, the National Academies of Practice, the Charles Harrison Society and Auburn’s George Petrie Society. He authored three editions of a surgical text and a book on veterinary electroencephalography plus more than 130 other scientific publications and hundreds of abstracts in Chirurgia Veterinaria, the abstract journal of the World Veterinary Medical Association. He lectured extensively throughout the United States and seven foreign countries, received five teaching awards, two outstanding clinician awards, the Alpha Psi Distinguished Service, the Omega Tau Sigma Theta, the Alabama Academy of Veterinary Practice Annual, the American Veterinary Medical Association Gaines and Veterinarian of the Year and the University Of Pennsylvania Alumni Achievement Of Merit Awards. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and of the specialty Neurology of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Knecht served each as president; also serving as president of the American Association of Veterinary Neurology, the Society for International Veterinary Symposia and of the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians. He served in the House of Delegates of the American Veterinary Medical Association for nine years. He also served on the Judicial Council for the latter beginning in July 2000 and as Chair of the Council from 2004-2006. Active in community affairs and charities, Professor Knecht served as director, president and secretary of the Lee County Division of the American Heart Association; treasurer, secretary, director and finally honorary member of the University Club; president and director of the Auburn University Academy of Lifelong Learners, a member with merit award and treasurer of the local Mended Hearts, Auburn Arts Association, Opelika Arts Association, Alabama Shakespeare Theater, the National Wildlife Federations and the Sierra Club. He was a lifelong practicing Catholic and Eucharistic minister for St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Survivors include his two sons, Charles Mark Knecht, Psy.D and his wife, Jessica Presley of Asheville and Thomas Richard Knecht, J.D. and his wife Susan of Saint Louis, MO; three grandchildren, Jordan Knecht of St. Louis, Samuel Wriston Knecht and Rebecca Jean Knecht both of Asheville. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Joseph Robl and her husband, Louis and brother, Frank Knecht and his wife Sally all of Baltimore, MD. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM. Monday, September 26, 2011 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Auburn. The family will receive friends in a reception immediately following the service. Interment will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery in Mt. Airy, Maryland at a later date. The family respectfully requests a single red rose or donations to the Professor Charles Knecht Neurology Scholarship fund, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine or to St. Michaels Church in Auburn.

Tributes

Dr. Charles D. Knecht,V.M.D., M.S.

March 22, 1932 - September 20, 2011