Alan McKnight

Alan McKnight, age 91, of Wilmington, Delaware, died Monday, July 5, 2021 after a long illness.  Alan was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Gault McKnight.  In addition, he was predeceased by his parents, B. Eugene McKnight and Olive Knott McKnight, as well as his sister, Joan Wilson.

Alan is survived by his sister, Iris Cisarik; his brother, Bennett McKnight (Sally); his sister-in-law, Virginia Walker (John).  Alan is also survived by loving nieces and nephews:  Jeff Wilson (Maryann) for their love and support through Alan’s illness, Amy Charron (Bob), Marnie Favell (Charlie), Bob (Luke) Walker (Amy), Jack Walker (Roxanne), Becky Plotner (Sandy), Ken Walker; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Alan graduated from Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) and had a lengthy and successful career as a chemical process engineer for DuPont.  Upon retirement he worked for several years as a volunteer at DuPont’s Hagley Museum, conducting demonstrations of vintage equipment in a restored machine shop.  Alan was a 32nd degree Mason in the Free Accepted Masonic Order and the Scottish Rite, as well as a member of numerous professional and technical organizations.  

Always an enthusiast for things technical, Al conducted a risky river-bottom dive in a deep-water suit built by his Boy Scout troop, disassembled and rebuilt car motors for pleasure, and assembled a collection of industrial metalworking machines that filled his basement and from which he fabricated engine components and other complex projects.

Alan and Betty were frequent travelers and enjoyed numerous trips and tours, domestically and abroad, and were also long time members of Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church.

Alan would wish to thank Jayne Townsend, a longtime family friend of Al and Betty’s, for her care and compassion during Al’s illness.

A viewing will be held at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Monday, July 19 at 10:00AM, with funeral services beginning at 10:30AM.  Interment will immediately follow at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Alan’s memory to Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, 500 McKennans Church Road, Wilmington, DE 19808.

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