Richard "Dick" Knowles

 Richard (“Dick”) Knowles was born October 12, 1933, in Wichita, Kansas. He was the youngest of five children. His father had returned from World War I and was working for Railway Express and his mother helped the family income situation during the Great Depression by keeping boarders and being a midwife. 

Dick was an excellent athlete and earned a football scholarship at the University of Kansas and in the off season participated in track and field as runner, discus and shot-put thrower. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta. It was at one of the fraternity mixers that he met his first love, Anne. They were married while in college and had Laurie and Kim in quick succession. but son, Rich, did not come around for 15 years later. 

Dick was a born salesman and worked for the Coleman company. He then became the head football coach in Morristown, NJ. He took a badly defeated and discouraged team and turned them into state champions. He then had a very successful career with J P Stevens company as their head salesman for the southeast.

 He and a partner then established their own company, Adams’ Magnetic. He became a world traveler as he sold brass fasteners and magnetic assemblies to numerous companies globally. In spite of his work and travels, he always had time for golf and played both domestically and around the world.

 When the family settled in Hinsdale, IL in 1974, they joined Grace Episcopal Church and Edgewood Valley Country Club. Dick went to the 7:30 church service so he would not miss his 9 am tee time.

 In 2006, Anne passed away from cancer after 52 years of marriage. He then made friends with Darleen Derma, another member of Grace Church and a friend of Anne’s. They were married in November of 2007. For his 80" birthday in 2013, the couple took a Viking River Cruise through France. While Darleen was out exploring castles, he stayed aboard and started doing watercolors. He was very good and started creating numerous creations which now adorn their condo unit. They bought at Olde Hickory Golf & Country Club in 2015 after renting for several years in the Fort Myers area. 

Dick passed into eternity May 28, 2026. He is survived   by his wife Darleen; children Laurie (Brian) Ward, Kim (Bob) Trompeter , Rich Knowles; grandchildren Bob, Steve, Lauren, Alison, Emmett and Seven great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 11:30 at Grace Episcopal Church, 120 E. First St. Hinsdale.  Interment is private.

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