NORMAN E. KNUTZEN
N.E. Knutzen, Educator Here, Dies
Norman E. Knutzen, who arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point a
student in 1911 and became one of its most widely known faculty members, died
this morning in St. Michaels Hospital following an illness of several weeks.
He was 79.
Services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Town of
Morris (rural Wittenberg). Burial will be in Manitowoc.
Friends may call after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Schmidt Funeral Home in Wittenberg.
Mr. Knutzen taught English on campus from 1931 to 1963 and continued as a part-
time staff member after his retirement. Subsequently, he did some limited
teaching, admission counseling and directing of Mens Glee Club
In the late 1960s, he was a part-time staff member for the Alumni Association
and was still involved in special projects for the organization at the time of
his death.
His contributions to the university did not lack recognition. About the time of
his official retirement, students dedicated their winter carnival in his honor.
In October, 1967, a four-story brick residence hall was dedicated in his name.
And in May of 1969, he was one of four persons receiving a distinguished service
award for longtime support of his alma mater. The citation was made at the schools
75th anniversary program.
The son of a druggist, Mr. Knutzen was born Dec. 28, 1892, in Manitowoc and came
to the then Stevens Point Normal School 61 years ago. After receiving a certificate
to teach, he held classroom posts in high schools at Chippewa Falls, Appleton,
Stambaugh, Mich., and the Home Childrens Home in Wittenberg.
Later he attended Lawrence University in Appleton and did graduate work at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Northwestern and the University of Chicago. Before
returning to Stevens Point as a young professor, he served briefly on the Lawrence
faculty.
Mr. Knutzen had close contact with hundreds of students during his 34 years as
director of the Mens Glee Club, which he founded. The organization made more than
375 appearances under his baton and toured throughout the country to such places as
the New York Worlds Fair, West Point Military Academy and the National Federation
of Music Clubs convention in Miami.
In the classroom, literature was his pet topic and he created a special course in
works by Midwestern writers which touched on folklore of this region. He was
contracted to give special lectures on the subject over the state radio network.
His idol was Henry David Thoreau, had his aim was to pattern his life, in part,
after the famed writers. Like Thoreau who lived in a cabin beside a pond in New
England, Knutzen spent considerable time in (Continued on page 2)
KNUTZEN (Continued from Page 1)
recent years at a cottage on Pike Lake in eastern Marathon County. He had lived
during winter months with a cousin, Herb Holm at rural Tigerton, but made regular
trips to Stevens Point.
I like to think I have many of the philosophies about the love of nature that Mr.
Thoreau possessed, the professor once recalled.
Mr. Knutzen was a member of numerous professional organizations. He was honored
several years ago for three decades of service as secretary for the Central
Wisconsin Schoolmasters Association. He was a charter organizer of the Wisconsin
Federation of Music Clubs, longtime member of the Stevens Point Kiwanis Club and a
chairman in 1953-54 of the local campus faculty.
During World War I, he served as an artillery sergeant a Camp Zachery Taylor, Ken.
Mr. Knutzen, who never married, is survived by one brother, Edwin, Seattle, Wash.;
a sister-in-law at King; and several cousins.
Stevens Point Daily Journal, May 26, 1972 pp. 1-2
***********
[Norman E. Knutzen/d. at Stevens Point WI]
N.E. Knutzen, Educator Here, Dies
Norman E. Knutzen, who arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point a
student in 1911 and became one of its most widely known faculty members, died
this morning in St. Michaels Hospital following an illness of several weeks.
He was 79.
Services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Town of
Morris (rural Wittenberg). Burial will be in Manitowoc.
Friends may call after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Schmidt Funeral Home in Wittenberg.
Mr. Knutzen taught English on campus from 1931 to 1963 and continued as a part-
time staff member after his retirement. Subsequently, he did some limited
teaching, admission counseling and directing of Mens Glee Club
In the late 1960s, he was a part-time staff member for the Alumni Association
and was still involved in special projects for the organization at the time of
his death.
His contributions to the university did not lack recognition. About the time of
his official retirement, students dedicated their winter carnival in his honor.
In October, 1967, a four-story brick residence hall was dedicated in his name.
And in May of 1969, he was one of four persons receiving a distinguished service
award for longtime support of his alma mater. The citation was made at the schools
75th anniversary program.
The son of a druggist, Mr. Knutzen was born Dec. 28, 1892, in Manitowoc and came
to the then Stevens Point Normal School 61 years ago. After receiving a certificate
to teach, he held classroom posts in high schools at Chippewa Falls, Appleton,
Stambaugh, Mich., and the Home Childrens Home in Wittenberg.
Later he attended Lawrence University in Appleton and did graduate work at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Northwestern and the University of Chicago. Before
returning to Stevens Point as a young professor, he served briefly on the Lawrence
faculty.
Mr. Knutzen had close contact with hundreds of students during his 34 years as
director of the Mens Glee Club, which he founded. The organization made more than
375 appearances under his baton and toured throughout the country to such places as
the New York Worlds Fair, West Point Military Academy and the National Federation
of Music Clubs convention in Miami.
In the classroom, literature was his pet topic and he created a special course in
works by Midwestern writers which touched on folklore of this region. He was
contracted to give special lectures on the subject over the state radio network.
His idol was Henry David Thoreau, had his aim was to pattern his life, in part,
after the famed writers. Like Thoreau who lived in a cabin beside a pond in New
England, Knutzen spent considerable time in (Continued on page 2)
KNUTZEN (Continued from Page 1)
recent years at a cottage on Pike Lake in eastern Marathon County. He had lived
during winter months with a cousin, Herb Holm at rural Tigerton, but made regular
trips to Stevens Point.
I like to think I have many of the philosophies about the love of nature that Mr.
Thoreau possessed, the professor once recalled.
Mr. Knutzen was a member of numerous professional organizations. He was honored
several years ago for three decades of service as secretary for the Central
Wisconsin Schoolmasters Association. He was a charter organizer of the Wisconsin
Federation of Music Clubs, longtime member of the Stevens Point Kiwanis Club and a
chairman in 1953-54 of the local campus faculty.
During World War I, he served as an artillery sergeant a Camp Zachery Taylor, Ken.
Mr. Knutzen, who never married, is survived by one brother, Edwin, Seattle, Wash.;
a sister-in-law at King; and several cousins.
Stevens Point Daily Journal, May 26, 1972 pp. 1-2
***********
[Norman E. Knutzen/d. at Stevens Point WI]
NORMAN E. KNUTZEN
N.E. Knutzen, Educator Here, Dies
Norman E. Knutzen, who arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point a
student in 1911 and became one of its most widely known faculty members, died
this morning in St. Michaels Hospital following an illness of several weeks.
He was 79.
Services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Town of
Morris (rural Wittenberg). Burial will be in Manitowoc.
Friends may call after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Schmidt Funeral Home in Wittenberg.
Mr. Knutzen taught English on campus from 1931 to 1963 and continued as a part-
time staff member after his retirement. Subsequently, he did some limited
teaching, admission counseling and directing of Mens Glee Club
In the late 1960s, he was a part-time staff member for the Alumni Association
and was still involved in special projects for the organization at the time of
his death.
His contributions to the university did not lack recognition. About the time of
his official retirement, students dedicated their winter carnival in his honor.
In October, 1967, a four-story brick residence hall was dedicated in his name.
And in May of 1969, he was one of four persons receiving a distinguished service
award for longtime support of his alma mater. The citation was made at the schools
75th anniversary program.
The son of a druggist, Mr. Knutzen was born Dec. 28, 1892, in Manitowoc and came
to the then Stevens Point Normal School 61 years ago. After receiving a certificate
to teach, he held classroom posts in high schools at Chippewa Falls, Appleton,
Stambaugh, Mich., and the Home Childrens Home in Wittenberg.
Later he attended Lawrence University in Appleton and did graduate work at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Northwestern and the University of Chicago. Before
returning to Stevens Point as a young professor, he served briefly on the Lawrence
faculty.
Mr. Knutzen had close contact with hundreds of students during his 34 years as
director of the Mens Glee Club, which he founded. The organization made more than
375 appearances under his baton and toured throughout the country to such places as
the New York Worlds Fair, West Point Military Academy and the National Federation
of Music Clubs convention in Miami.
In the classroom, literature was his pet topic and he created a special course in
works by Midwestern writers which touched on folklore of this region. He was
contracted to give special lectures on the subject over the state radio network.
His idol was Henry David Thoreau, had his aim was to pattern his life, in part,
after the famed writers. Like Thoreau who lived in a cabin beside a pond in New
England, Knutzen spent considerable time in (Continued on page 2)
KNUTZEN (Continued from Page 1)
recent years at a cottage on Pike Lake in eastern Marathon County. He had lived
during winter months with a cousin, Herb Holm at rural Tigerton, but made regular
trips to Stevens Point.
I like to think I have many of the philosophies about the love of nature that Mr.
Thoreau possessed, the professor once recalled.
Mr. Knutzen was a member of numerous professional organizations. He was honored
several years ago for three decades of service as secretary for the Central
Wisconsin Schoolmasters Association. He was a charter organizer of the Wisconsin
Federation of Music Clubs, longtime member of the Stevens Point Kiwanis Club and a
chairman in 1953-54 of the local campus faculty.
During World War I, he served as an artillery sergeant a Camp Zachery Taylor, Ken.
Mr. Knutzen, who never married, is survived by one brother, Edwin, Seattle, Wash.;
a sister-in-law at King; and several cousins.
Stevens Point Daily Journal, May 26, 1972 pp. 1-2
***********
[Norman E. Knutzen/d. at Stevens Point WI]
N.E. Knutzen, Educator Here, Dies
Norman E. Knutzen, who arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point a
student in 1911 and became one of its most widely known faculty members, died
this morning in St. Michaels Hospital following an illness of several weeks.
He was 79.
Services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Town of
Morris (rural Wittenberg). Burial will be in Manitowoc.
Friends may call after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Schmidt Funeral Home in Wittenberg.
Mr. Knutzen taught English on campus from 1931 to 1963 and continued as a part-
time staff member after his retirement. Subsequently, he did some limited
teaching, admission counseling and directing of Mens Glee Club
In the late 1960s, he was a part-time staff member for the Alumni Association
and was still involved in special projects for the organization at the time of
his death.
His contributions to the university did not lack recognition. About the time of
his official retirement, students dedicated their winter carnival in his honor.
In October, 1967, a four-story brick residence hall was dedicated in his name.
And in May of 1969, he was one of four persons receiving a distinguished service
award for longtime support of his alma mater. The citation was made at the schools
75th anniversary program.
The son of a druggist, Mr. Knutzen was born Dec. 28, 1892, in Manitowoc and came
to the then Stevens Point Normal School 61 years ago. After receiving a certificate
to teach, he held classroom posts in high schools at Chippewa Falls, Appleton,
Stambaugh, Mich., and the Home Childrens Home in Wittenberg.
Later he attended Lawrence University in Appleton and did graduate work at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Northwestern and the University of Chicago. Before
returning to Stevens Point as a young professor, he served briefly on the Lawrence
faculty.
Mr. Knutzen had close contact with hundreds of students during his 34 years as
director of the Mens Glee Club, which he founded. The organization made more than
375 appearances under his baton and toured throughout the country to such places as
the New York Worlds Fair, West Point Military Academy and the National Federation
of Music Clubs convention in Miami.
In the classroom, literature was his pet topic and he created a special course in
works by Midwestern writers which touched on folklore of this region. He was
contracted to give special lectures on the subject over the state radio network.
His idol was Henry David Thoreau, had his aim was to pattern his life, in part,
after the famed writers. Like Thoreau who lived in a cabin beside a pond in New
England, Knutzen spent considerable time in (Continued on page 2)
KNUTZEN (Continued from Page 1)
recent years at a cottage on Pike Lake in eastern Marathon County. He had lived
during winter months with a cousin, Herb Holm at rural Tigerton, but made regular
trips to Stevens Point.
I like to think I have many of the philosophies about the love of nature that Mr.
Thoreau possessed, the professor once recalled.
Mr. Knutzen was a member of numerous professional organizations. He was honored
several years ago for three decades of service as secretary for the Central
Wisconsin Schoolmasters Association. He was a charter organizer of the Wisconsin
Federation of Music Clubs, longtime member of the Stevens Point Kiwanis Club and a
chairman in 1953-54 of the local campus faculty.
During World War I, he served as an artillery sergeant a Camp Zachery Taylor, Ken.
Mr. Knutzen, who never married, is survived by one brother, Edwin, Seattle, Wash.;
a sister-in-law at King; and several cousins.
Stevens Point Daily Journal, May 26, 1972 pp. 1-2
***********
[Norman E. Knutzen/d. at Stevens Point WI]
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