Ronald Knief

BESSEMER, Mich. - Ronald Knief, age 82, of Bessemer, passed away on July 1, 2018.

Ronald was born on Jan. 11, 1936, in St. Ignace, to Alvin and Hedwig "Haddie" (Glatz) Knief. He graduated from Ironwood High School in 1954.

In 1956, he graduated from Gogebic Community College. He received a full scholarship to the University of Michigan, but left college to serve in the U.S. Army. While in the Army he worked for the Army Security Agency traveling throughout Europe. He helped build the largest "spy base" in the world in England for the National Security Agency, which is still in service today.

After his time with the Army, he joined UNIVAC. While there he helped develop the first world real-time solid state computer system. He also assisted in the development of the first real-time airline reservation system. He worked in development for UNIVAC in London, England and Bluebell, Pennsylvania.

He was also employed at International Computer LTD in Manchester, England. Upon leaving employment at International Computers, he toured the world for four months, visiting 37 countries. He spent a time employed with Computer Sciences Corp., of El Secondo, Spain.

He had the good fortune of making many friends and acquaintances. He had a very enjoyable life. Unfortunately, he left us having suffered from cancer.

He is survived by his dearest friend, Dolores Graski; a brother, Elmer Knief; nieces and nephews, Gerald (Terry) Gustafson, Darlene (Tom) Dahl, Michael Gustafson, Brenda Korpi, Jeffrey (Lynn) Gustafson, Kevin Korpi, and Christopher (Marnie) Korpi. He is also survived by nine great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Bernice Korpi and Delphine Gustafson; niece, Maureen Gustafson, and a great nephew, Ryan Gustafson.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, at 10 a.m. Full military rites will be conducted by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.

For more information or to give an online condolence, please visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.