Allan R. Knivila

MIDLAND, Mich. - Allan R. Knivila, of Midland, passed away at MidMichigan Medical Center, Midland, surrounded by his family.

Allan was born and raised in the logging town of Trout Creek in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After high school, he joined the Navy where he was on active duty on the USS Intrepid. Al was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis and aided in the recovery of one of the original Apollo missions.

After the military, he attended Michigan Technological University on two separate occasions earning two masters degrees. Al worked as a sales executive for the Dow Corning Corporation, in charge of the Chicago area. While at Dow, he met his wife of 48 years, Sue Ann. He went on to pursue a career in real estate and finally found his calling as a physics professor at Michigan Tech and Delta College.

After retirement, Al spent his remaining years visiting the local lake with his beloved dog, Rascal, and was an avid movie aficionado. An intelligent man with an analytical mind and gift for eloquence, he had much to give to this world.

Allan is survived by his wife, Sue; two children, Christine (Andrew) Smedley, of Zealand, and Bradley (Tricha) Knivila, of Mt. Pleasant; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Timothy) Moore, Kennedy Smedley, Hannah Knivila and Mackenzie Smedley; and two brothers, Robert and Stephen Knivila, of Trout Creek. Allan was preceded in death by both his parents and his infant brother, Bernard.

There will be a memorial service on Monday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. at Berry Funeral Home in Shepherd with Valiant Jones officiating. The family will start receiving people at noon.