Richard Knowlton

Richard “Dick” William Knowlton, 87, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and formerly of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away Friday, March 17, 2017, at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus.

He was born in Berea, Ohio, on February 6, 1930, the son of the late C.E. and Caroline Brown Knowlton. Dick grew up in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and graduated from Bellefontaine High School. He graduated from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, with a Bachelor’s degree in architecture. He served in U.S. Army Intelligence operations, conducting personnel investigations from 1953 to 1955, and was stationed at Fort Holabird, Baltimore, MD, and in Albany, NY, before moving back to Bellefontaine, Ohio, and later Urbana, Ohio.

He was married to the former Margaret “Peggy” Humbert Spangler who survives along with her four children: Diana (Barry) Spangler-Crawford of Valdese, NC, Kim (Greg) Bachman of Springfield, OH, Michele (Darrel) Spangler Hodge of Alamo, CA, and David Spangler of Washington, DC.

His first wife, Anne Obenshain Knowlton, and their four children also survive: Jane Knowlton of Alexandria, VA, David (Barbara) Knowlton of Darien, CT, Eric Knowlton of Birmingham, MI, and Andrew (Stacy) Knowlton of Santa Fe, NM.

There are 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Family was central to his life. Also dear to his heart were his churches (most recently St. Andrew by the Sea UMC, Hilton Head Island, and First Community Church, Columbus) and Rotary with his 55 years of perfect attendance.

He was an avid sports fan, and loved the Buckeye bands, The Ohio State University football and basketball programs, and the Cincinnati Bengals. Dick was one of the most generous and optimistic people with a giant heart and a tremendous sense of humor. He believed in seeing the best in everyone and was constantly making new friendships. His passion and dedication to numerous charities was everlasting.

He grew up in the construction business and worked at The Knowlton Construction Company and Columbia Building Company in Bellefontaine, which built many schools, hospitals, and other government buildings as well as other projects throughout Ohio and surrounding areas. Dick also was an avid collector of English and French antiques. He and Peggy built a business from this passion, and collected and sold their antiques throughout the eastern United States.

Gene Marine, his life-long friend, will officiate a memorial service on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Main St. Bellefontaine, OH 43311. Burial will be private in Bellefontaine Cemetery. There will be another memorial service at St. Andrew by the Sea United Methodist Church in Hilton Head Island, SC on April 8, 2017, at 11 a.m.

Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is assisting the family with arrangements.