Obituary for Richard Kneller
Dr. W. Richard Kneller, 89,of Clifton, died Sunday February 3, 2019
at his residence. His wife, Mary Joan, died in 2002. Born in Scranton,
son of William & Rose Marie Kneller, he entered Air Force navigator training after 1947 graduation from St. Mary High School. In 1949, he flew in an Alaskan squadron that did the original
radar mapping of polar regions. Years later, he flew combat reconnaissance and bombing missions in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars. His unit earned Presidential and Distinguished Unit
Citations. In addition to flying, he was chief of Mapping and Graphic Services wherever he was assigned. Using Air Force education programs, he earned a BS degree in Mathematics from
Maryland University and an MBA degree from California University.
After Air Force retirement, he earned a Doctor of Science degree
from Maryland University Graduate School and an additional high-
er degree in Medical Management from Northwestern University
Graduate School. He returned to Scranton and was appointed as
Director of Lackawanna Medical Society. He served for fourteen
years until his second retirement in 1991. Dr. Kneller also
served on the AMA Commitee for Management and was co-author of a
nationally used patient relations guide. He also served for a
number of years on Scranton Counseling Center Directors Board.
In retirement, he was a lecturer at a number of eastern universities. He was a member of the Air Force Association, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a founding
member of Jefferson Township Lions Club. In his youth, he was an
Eagle Scout and a Civil Air Patrol Aerial Observer. Dr. Kneller
was a self-taught artist and technical designer. He was a three
time national winner of the "Men of Vision" competition for
advanced technical concepts. During his Air Force service, his
cartoon series, "Nuggets" and "Capers", appeared worldwide in
military publications.
Dr. Kneller's life was guided by a philosophy of service to his
nation and neighbors, love and heart to family and a deep trust
in his God. He is survived by a brother, John of Mountaintop,
daughters Michele McGraw, of Olyphant; Margaret Randall of Bethlehem; and a son, Richard, of Claysburg. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
A blessing service will be held Friday at 11 am in the Miller Bean Funeral Home Inc. 436 Cedar Ave. Scranton. Interment will follow in St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore.
at his residence. His wife, Mary Joan, died in 2002. Born in Scranton,
son of William & Rose Marie Kneller, he entered Air Force navigator training after 1947 graduation from St. Mary High School. In 1949, he flew in an Alaskan squadron that did the original
radar mapping of polar regions. Years later, he flew combat reconnaissance and bombing missions in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars. His unit earned Presidential and Distinguished Unit
Citations. In addition to flying, he was chief of Mapping and Graphic Services wherever he was assigned. Using Air Force education programs, he earned a BS degree in Mathematics from
Maryland University and an MBA degree from California University.
After Air Force retirement, he earned a Doctor of Science degree
from Maryland University Graduate School and an additional high-
er degree in Medical Management from Northwestern University
Graduate School. He returned to Scranton and was appointed as
Director of Lackawanna Medical Society. He served for fourteen
years until his second retirement in 1991. Dr. Kneller also
served on the AMA Commitee for Management and was co-author of a
nationally used patient relations guide. He also served for a
number of years on Scranton Counseling Center Directors Board.
In retirement, he was a lecturer at a number of eastern universities. He was a member of the Air Force Association, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a founding
member of Jefferson Township Lions Club. In his youth, he was an
Eagle Scout and a Civil Air Patrol Aerial Observer. Dr. Kneller
was a self-taught artist and technical designer. He was a three
time national winner of the "Men of Vision" competition for
advanced technical concepts. During his Air Force service, his
cartoon series, "Nuggets" and "Capers", appeared worldwide in
military publications.
Dr. Kneller's life was guided by a philosophy of service to his
nation and neighbors, love and heart to family and a deep trust
in his God. He is survived by a brother, John of Mountaintop,
daughters Michele McGraw, of Olyphant; Margaret Randall of Bethlehem; and a son, Richard, of Claysburg. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
A blessing service will be held Friday at 11 am in the Miller Bean Funeral Home Inc. 436 Cedar Ave. Scranton. Interment will follow in St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore.