Charles Knowles

With great sorrow, we announce the passing of our husband and father, Charles ‘Charlie’ Knowles. Charlie passed peacefully, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 67 years, June Knowles; Children Elizabeth Schmitz (and Jefre Schmitz), Charles Jr. (and Julie Knowles), and James; Grandchildren Justin Knowles (and Marsha), Logan Knowles, and Sierra Knowles. Great grandchildren Heather and Sarah Knowles and hi sister Charlotte May (and Donald)

There are too many friends to mention. Charlie never met a stranger. His interests were as varied as his career. Starting as a gym instructor as an undergraduate at George Williams University, Charlie quickly switched his focus to chemistry after working at the Domino Sugar factory in Chicago, Illinois. He soon entered the graduate program at the University of Chicago, specializing in chemistry and crystallography. He was an early user of computers, back when programming involved wires and switches. His children used IBM punch cards as coloring books.

Following his graduation from Chicago, the family moved to Houston where Charlie worked at M. D. Anderson Medical Center. His expertise in crystallography translated well to the medical field. While at M. D. Anderson, astronauts brought back rocks from the moon. Assigned to the national commission, Charlie was one of the few chemists invited to analyze the moon rocks.

The family moved north to Moscow, Idaho in 1970. As a professor of Geology at the University of Idaho, Charlie trained many graduate students in the use of ‘the probe’ as an analytical tool in mineral research. Co-employed with the Bureau of Land Management, Charlie participated in the mineral inventory of the State of Idaho. This involved hiking every waterway in the state, collecting soil samples to determine what minerals were located where. His children assisted during the summer months, carrying food and soil samples. Memories of these times formed their character and love of nature.

On May 18, 1980, while at a Geology department picnic, Charlie looked at the sky and noticed a dark plume of what could have been storm clouds. He recognized the plume as the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. He rushed home to arrange an ash collection apparatus. His studies showed that the eruption contained two distinct phases: the initial plume contained darker, heavier ash. Hours later, a lighter, finer ash. This latter ash contained the silicon crystals that lead to closing of schools and restricted activities to prevent siliconosis. Both local and national news broadcasts interviewed him about the experience.

Charlie consulted for the National Bureau standards, helping labs establish reliable protocols used to test for asbestos. He consulted across various industries including creation and testing of the explosive devices used in car air bags.

Upon retirement, Charlie explored his second passion: history. He became active in the Lewis and Clark bicentennial events, participating on the state and national committees for re-enactments of the Corp of Discovery voyage. He presented the stories of Lewis and Clark to towns, libraries, and celebrations from Virginia, to St. Louis and up the Missouri via replica keelboats in a full reenactment of the voyage (with the advantage a food boat, support vehicles and tents).

As historian and professor, Charlie loved sharing and receiving knowledge. The Lewis and Clark re-enactments fed his need. So, too, did raft float trips down the Salmon and Snake rivers where he discussed the geology and history to clients. These adventures led to his friendships with Stephen J. Gould, Ken Burns, Stephen Ambrose and James Alexander Thom.

Later in life, Charlie and June circumnavigated the globe in a series of luxury cruises that brought them immense pleasure. After years of reading about the world’s wonders, they finally saw the pyramids along the Nile, took a safari on the Kruger Preserve, visited the terracotta warriors in China, and much more. When travel became no longer possible, they enjoyed revisiting these cherished memories in photos and film with family and friends.

Charlie remained an avid reader of nonfiction and fiction for the remainder of his life. His knowledge was vast, making him a fascinating conversationalist and an excellent informational resource for his kids and grandkids.

The family wishes to thank the amazing nursing team in the MSU and Critical Care Unit at Gritman Memorial Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation at https://lewisandclark.org