In loving memory of Dr. John Knelson

Our family pediatrician passed away last night. Dr. Knelson was diagnosed with throat and esophageal cancer shortly after he diagnosed Grant last spring. He fought a valiant fight and will be sorely missed. Grant referred to Dr. K as "his favorite".

The following is the front page article from today's Carteret County News Times.

Pediatrician remembered for loving care of children

Pediatrician Dr. John Knelson checks a patient, Zachary Masiak of Newport , in February 2005. Dr. Knelson, 73, died Thursday. (Cheryl Burke photo)

by Cheryl Burke

NEWS-TIMES

MOREHEAD CITY — “His profession, love and hobby was working with kids. He was so dedicated to them and that was his fulfillment. He was so compassionate and made sure that medical care was available to everybody,” said Dr. Stanley Rule, Morehead City pediatrician, of Dr. John Knelson, a popular Morehead City pediatrician who died Thursday evening from cancer at age 73.

“His legacy will not only be the practice he leaves behind, but the part of himself that he instilled in all of us that we will impart to others as we practice medicine.”

Dr. Knelson, or “Dr. K,” as he was affectionately known by his colleagues, employees and thousands of children and parents, moved to Morehead City in 1978 and was the first pediatrician in Carteret County . He later founded Carteret Clinic for Adolescents and Children in Morehead City , which will continue to serve patients.

His impact on the county’s medical community is such that many medical practices, including Carteret General Hospital and those in Medical Park , are flying their flags at half-staff today in honor of the beloved pediatrician.

“He was the very top citizen in Carteret County ,” said Leonard Safrit, owner of Safrit Building Supply in Beaufort who met Dr. Knelson when he took his children to him. “He was civic minded and spiritually minded. He went to such great lengths to look after all of our children.”

While his life was dedicated to helping children, he was also known for his deep faith in God, according to those who were close to him.

“He was a man of great faith and was my spiritual mentor,” said Laurie Partusch-Whitt, who has served as office manager for Dr. Knelson for 15 years. “That’s my biggest blessing and most precious memory I will carry.”

Ms. Partusch-Whitt said his employees, most who have stayed with him for years, referred to him as “Papa Bear.”

“We had a sign made for his parking space that says ‘Papa Bear parking.’ Since he’s been sick, no one parks in that space.”

Ms. Partusch-Whitt said Dr. Knelson continued to come to work even after he was diagnosed with cancer last year, and finally quit coming in October when he was unable to do so.

“But he never retired,” she said, “He would never want to be referred to as retired.”

His passion and compassion for children took him into many arenas of life, according to Dr. Rule, who not only practiced with Dr. Knelson for many years but was also his student when Dr. Knelson taught as a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

“He did a lot of research on lead pollution and how it affected children when he worked for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),” said Dr. Rule. “He was one of the first people to do that.”

While living in the Research-Triangle area years ago, Dr. Knelson was chief of the Clinical Studies Branch, EPA, as well as director of the Human Studies Laboratory. He went on to become a senior research official with the Office of Research and Development, EPA, Research Triangle Park .

But his love for children was a magnet that drew him back to family practice.

“He came to realize he missed seeing the kids, so he came back to his first love,” said Dr. Rule.

Dr. Knelson’s love for children also lead him to start Carteret Academy, a Christian-based private school that served middle school children from September 1995 to July 2003.

“He had a special place in his heart for any age child,” said Vicky Bishop, who served as headmaster of Carteret Academy and now serves as principal of Gramercy Christian School in Newport. “He will certainly be missed.”

Dr. Knelson also helped start Project Graduation, which is a drug- and alcohol-free party that has been offered to county graduates following commencement exercises for several years.

His love for children and God carried him onto the mission field in Rwanda. He and his wife Brenda served as medical missionaries to Rwanda in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

The Rev. John Grayson, assistant rector of All Saints Anglican Church in Morehead City, which Dr. Knelson helped found, said, “He has certainly been an inspiration not only as a good medical doctor, but as a Godly man in the community. He was not only a great teacher, but a great learner. I learned a whole lot from him and I will probably miss him as much as anybody in this community.”

But of all those who will be impacted by Dr. Knelson’s passing, it’s probably the children who will miss him most.

“Last night we had junior choir practice at the church, and one of the boys said, ‘We need to pray for Dr. Knelson,’” said Pat Davis, administrative assistant and junior choir director at All Saints Church. “That was yesterday evening, and we were probably praying about the time he passed.”

His funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Grayson officiating. Burial is at 1 p.m. Monday at Ashley Heights Baptist Church Cemetery of Ashley Heights in Hoke County.