Donald F. Knauer

Donald F. Knauer died peacefully on January 21, 2018. He was born January 13, 1933, to the late Carl A. Knauer and Nettie P. Knauer (nee Harper). Donald married Mary Joann (Dodson) Knauer on August 7, 1955. He was the father of Kevin Mark Knauer, who passed away on January 22, 1981. In addition to his wife Joann, Mr. Knauer is survived by his brother Robert Ray Knauer and his wife Carolyn of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A member of the Boy Scouts in his youth, he was also a Sea Scout. Donald was elevated to Eagle Scout in 1950 and he attended Boys’ State in the same year. He was a graduate of the Cambridge High School Class of 1951. Mr. Knauer later resumed his education, earning an AA Degree in Business Administration from Chesapeake College in 1995.

Mr. Knauer was an inspector for the Dorchester County Dairy Herd Association, prior to entering the U.S. Army in March 1953. He served as a Teletype Interceptor in the Army Security Agency and was honorably discharged in March 1956.

Mr. Knauer attended Tech Air Institute and Pittsburg Institute of Aeronautics, receiving FAA certification as an Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic. He became employed by Capital Airlines and later Alleghany Airlines at National Airport in Washington, D.C.  He returned to the local area and worked in general aircraft maintenance, becoming an authorized inspector for the FAA. He later worked as a Machine Shop Supervisor at Airpax.

Mr. Knauer was a dedicated volunteer fireman, beginning in 1964. He became certified as one of the first Emergency Medical Technicians-Ambulance in Dorchester County. He served as Chaplain for Cambridge Rescue Fire Company. He was a past President of the Eastern Shore of Maryland Firemen’s Association and a past President and Chaplain of the Del-Mar-Va Firemen’s Association.  He was a former Trustee of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, where he also served as Chaplain. At various intervals, Mr. Knauer was inducted into the Halls of Fame of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, the Del-Mar-Va Firemen’s Association and the Eastern Shore of Maryland Firemen’s Association.

A firemen’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, January, 31, 2018 at 12 pm at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge with Rev. Bob Hudson and Rev. Mark Brumley officiating. Interment will follow at East New Market Cemetery with military honors. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Herbert T. Dodson, Franklin Knauer, Hobart (Bart) Rogers, Jr., Raymond Sears, Emory Sears, Robert Knauer, Sam Horseman, Paul Osheske and Ricky Travers. Honorary pallbearers will be Lee O. Dodson, Sidney Keyes, and Hobart Rogers.

Memorial contributions may be sent to The Bessie Marshall Benefit Fund, c/o Martha Neal, 2000 Seabrook Lane, Hollywood, MD 20636 or Sunnyside Alliance Church, P.O. Box 9, Secretary, MD 21664.