Howard W. Knoebel

December 13, 2022 - November 19, 2008

Howard W. Knoebel\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHoward W. Knoebel, age 85, of rural Toledo, Illinois passed away at 3:55 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Christine, his son, John of Hawthorn Woods, IL, his sister, Shirley (Ferguson) of Brentwood, MO, his step-son, Thomas Hayes of Surprise, AZ and his step-daughter Pamela (Hayes) Kaupins of Ottumwa, IA.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe funeral service in his honor will begin at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 22, 2008, at the Toledo Christian Church, 501 S. Maryland, Toledo, Illinois, 62468, with Reverend William Cox officiating. Interment will be in Toledo Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, November 21, 2008 from 3:00-6:00 p.m., at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, Illinois, 61938.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHoward Knoebel was born on Dec. 13, 1922 in Highland, IL to Florence Julia (Stocker) and Wilbert George Knoebel. He married L. Christine Amyx on August 11, 1957 at University Place Christian Church in Urbana, Illinois. He attended Highland public schools, Highland High School and graduated from Collinsville High School in 1941. He received his amateur radio license, W9MBD in 1940. He worked as a machinist for Briner Electric Company in St. Louis, attended the University of Illinois in Urbana and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He attended the Radio Material School, Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. and served on the staff at the Navy Radio Material School at Navy Pier in Chicago, IL. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAt the end of the war, he volunteered to participate in 'Operation Crossroads', the atomic bomb tests against a fleet of naval vessels at Bikini Atoll. Under the GI Bill, Howard completed his electrical engineering studies at the University of Illinois where he remained as a researcher and professor for the rest of his career.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAt the University, he developed equipment that led to the discovery of the nuclear magnetic resonance spin echo which ultimately contributed to 'Magnetic Resonance Imaging' (MRI). He worked on the development of Doppler radar systems, electrically levitated gyroscopes, rocket probes of electron density in the upper atmosphere and optical computer memory technology.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nProfessor Knoebel taught courses in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and General Engineering. Working with students in a senior level engineering internship course, he participated in a wide range of applied electromechanical projects including engineering aids for the physically handicapped, numerous technologies for industrial manufacturing and the explanation of early fuel injection failure in modern automobile engines. During summers, he remodeled apartment houses, doing carpentry, electrical and plumbing work.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nUpon retirement from the University of Illinois in 1979, Professor Knoebel devoted time to his 103 acre tree farm near Toledo, Illinois where he constructed a round barn, two story house, out-buildings, saw mill, lumber kiln, ham radio shack and a 120 foot antenna tower. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHis hobbies included furniture making, working in his machine shop, computers, amateur radio, and raising his dogs.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nProfessor Knoebel held offices in the Illini Figure Skating Club, Hammond Chord Organ Club, Champaign-Urbana motorcycle Club, Lakeland Beekeepers Association, Moultree Amateur Radio Club, National Trail Amateur Radio Club and served as a Deacon in the Toledo Christian Church.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beagle Rescue Education Welfare Mid-West (BREW Mid-West) PO Box 522, Fox Lake, Illinois 60020-0522.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nPlease visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com to light a virtual candle in his honor or to share a memory with the family.