Elmer M. Knowles, PhD Obituary (1920

Elmer Myler Knowles, age 95, of Provo, Utah, passed away of natural causes December 4, 2015. He was born July 30, 1920 in Lund, Idaho to Clarence William Knowles and Isabell Myler. He married Shirley Mae Harbertson October 29, 1941 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Elmer graduated from Ogden High School in 1938, then attended Weber State College for two years receiving an associate degree. He worked for the railroad until he enrolled at Utah State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a master’s degree. He was awarded a fellowship grant to continue his studies at Merrill Palmer Institute, an outstanding training school for directors of nursery schools in Detroit, Michigan. He continued his education at Cornell University where he received his doctorate in family life education. As far as we know, Dr. Knowles was the first man in the United States specializing in the field of childhood development. He was a professor at Michigan State University for three years, the University of Wyoming for two years, Texas Tech University for five years where he served as Head of the Department of Family Living, and at Brigham Young University for 23 years serving as Director of the Teaching Nursery School, Head of Department of Family Life Education and as a member of the President’s National Council for Aging. He was a popular and sought after Education Week speaker, traveling to many states over the years. He retired from Brigham Young University in 1985. Dr. Knowles was a veteran of World War II achieving the rank of sergeant in the Army Air Corps. Elmer was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holding many positions including branch president in Lubbock, Texas, the first seminary teacher in the Texas Mission, bishop of the Edgemont 3rd Ward in Provo, Utah, high councilman, temple worker and counselor in the bishopric at the Missionary Training Center in Provo. He served with his wife, Shirley, at the MTC for ten years. Elmer is survived by Shirley, his wife of 74 years; children, Gary (Arlene) Knowles of Riverton; Elaine (Bob) Brady of South Jordan; Colleen Knowles of Provo, and Richard Bryan Knowles of Katy, Texas; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and his sisters and brother, Helen Stephens, Evelyn Melchin and William Knowles. Dr. Knowles leaves those of us, fortunate enough to be his family, his unwavering testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ, the gospel, and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. He was a man of fierce loyalty and unquestioned integrity. He was the “rock” in our lives. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 14, 2015 at the Edgemont 8th Ward Chapel, 3050 Mojave Lane, Provo, Utah. Friends may call from 12-12:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment, East Lawn Memorial Hills. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.