Condolence: Anita, Sean, Amy, the kids: know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as this milestone comes. Know that you are in my prayers, it's been a tough year, I know and you're doing a great job. I feel that Johnny is with you and is watching you. Your many friends love you very much and that includes me. God bless.

Condolence: John was of that generation in the Department of Language and Literature at ASU when you walked down the hallway and said hello to friends in many languages. John was in the group of 1964 before I came in 1968:the Spanish department when they were just starting the PhD program. In those days some of us would go to Nogales,at least for a day: John told me of weekend jaunts with Paul Luenow and others, dinner at the Caverna with Bohemias or margaritas, and dancing later at the Fray Marcos Hotel. I have a picture of John playing frisby with George Carver at a DLL picnic in South Mountain Park probably in 1968 or 1969. Those were my first days.
John's role in the Spanish department was of "poet" in residence, and when he taught the Spanish Romantic poets or poets of the 20th century, his students could believe, "Hey, he's like these guys we are studying." He was a romantic and they were really like 19th century beatniks. John loved to dramatize the classes with performances. I recall his "goodbye" presentation, all in the Knowlton style.
We had talks in his office when I would often ask for advice on how to reach those students in my lectures. John's answer was "ask them to think like poets." He had an incredible sensibility toward literature and especially, poetry. We shared love of Machado and the Spanish Romantic drama. There was another thing we shared: his stories of research trips to Spain, interviews with the poets, and his great love of Granada and especially the Alhambra. He told me of a time that he had sat with Aleixandre in his library and the famous poet had told him he remembered the nineteen-thirties, pointing to each chair as he spoke, "when Federico Garcia Lorca sat there, Salvador Dali there, and Luis Bunuel there." John said it sent shivers up and down his spine. But also, we shared the loneliness during our trips abroad; I especially remember that, John in Spain, me in Brazil.
But one final note and it touches home. Around 1996 our daughter, Katie, culminated her senior year by playing a duet with a young lady in the Dobson Concert orchestra....a movement of Mozart's "Sinfonia concertante..." John knew of the concert, arrived with a bunch of roses and after the standing ovation for the duet, rushed up to the stage and threw the roses to Katie. She never forgot. My last times with John were in Gilbert where I brought Katie's documentary movie for John and Anita to view. John had given the struggling artists a small donation. It turns out by this time he tired so easily, he could not finish the movie, but he never failed to have a kind word for Katie. John, you enriched my life.

Condolence: Anita, My deepest condolences to you and your family on John's passing. The time Alyse and I spent with you and John and the cats in Arizona is one of the most cherished of memories that I have of that time. I am very grateful our paths crossed for that brief period of our lives, although I'm saddened that they did not continue to intersect in the same ways. But for that period of time we got to make many wonderful memories together. John was, still is, a very special person and he made me feel very special. He and I shared much in common and I will never forget that.

Condolence: The late sixties were a very difficult time for some of us minority students at A.S.U., yet Dr. Knowlton with some of the other wonderful professors embraced us and made us feel like we belonged. Many of us came from small mining towns. What did I know about poetry? NADA. John's mentor-ship and encouragement helped inspire me and so many of his students.

When he read a specific poem he would also act it out. John was a first class professor, a first class actor and a first class friend. I feel so lucky to have had front row seats to his performances for so many years. The swards, las espadas, el drama...he made poetry come alive. He taught us to feel and get into the soul of the poeta.

I would come home after his classes with a big grin on my face. He was just as witty in Spanish and he was in English.

I will never forget his good humor,his sincerity, his honesty and his dedication to teaching.

Anita,Sean and family, Thank you for allowing me to say adios to my amigo John.

Condolence: Dr. Knowlton was my teacher in graduate school in the mid 70s. I think of all the professors we had he was the one who really felt and lived the literature because he loved it, not because it was a rung on his career ladder. I remember going to his house when we were in graduate school and he told us about someone who had said: "It doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you're in, it's impressive!" He was delighted with the observation. He said all things should reveal themselves for their worth, not their appearance. Who could argue with that? I remember him doing providing great in class readings that not only brought the literature to life but gave us an insight into how deeply he felt it. I remember he told about his trip to Spain and retracing the route that is in Don Quijote and talking about changes climate had wrought. His interpretations and understanding gave our reading so much more context, both prose and poetry. He always demonstrated the utmost respect for his students, and had a great sense of humor.He was one of my favorite teachers.

Condolence: Anita, I am so sorry for your loss of one of the coolest gentlemen ever. When I met Johnny I adored him immediately. Johnny is smart and interesting and fun -- he was a joy to be around and I soaked it in. I remember he told me a story about waking up very early one morning while you were sleeping beside him, and there was a beam of sunlight coming through the window that was illuminating a basket of playing kittens that you had at the time. He said that at that moment he was completely happy and knew how lucky he was. In kind, the evening that I spent with you and Johnny is one of the best memories of my life, and I feel very lucky to have had that night. You are a dear friend, Anita, and a brilliant and beautiful woman that shines with love and humor. I love you, my friend.

Condolence: My grandpa was the most intelligent man I have ever met. He always encouraged me to do my best with every thing I do. He made me laugh, he made me feel safe. I never thought he would be gone right now. I always assumed he would be here to see me graduate and see me be successful. But he is looking down from above, and I know he will always be with me in my heart when I need him. I love and miss him so much.

Condolence: I will send my memorial remarks via email; please post them.

Condolence: I am so sorry for your loss, Anita. I have really enjoyed getting to know and befriending you through Kat. You're a truly wonderful and sweet individual. Please accept my deepest sympathies and know we are here if you need anything.

Condolence: My profound condolence to you and your family. Johnny was a kind friend, a good neighbor, an outstanding professor, and a loving husband.