Obituary of Conrad H. Knerr

Conrad Hering Knerr passed away peacefully at his home in Whitpain Farms, Blue Bell, Pa. at the young age of 91 with his wife of 32 years, Susan Comstock Knerr, by his side. Born in Germantown, he was the son of Horace Calvin Knerr and Jean Reid Knerr, and the great-grandson of Constantine Hering, MD, who was the principal founder of Hahnemann Hospital and is considered the "Father of Homeopathy in America." He attended Germantown High School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1948, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He also served in the US Navy in Great Lakes, Illinois and at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. Upon graduating from college he dedicated himself to running the Metlab Co. founded in 1928 by his father, a world-renowned expert in the field of metallurgy. After selling the Metlab Co. in 1998, he retained ownership of the property and established The Knerr Group, Inc. there as a real estate holding company. As president of both companies, he managed and oversaw these businesses for 68 years with the partnership of his brother, Barry. Until shortly before his death, he enjoyed going to work at the office on a daily basis. Over the years, he also taught classes in metallurgy at both Temple University and Spring Garden College. Throughout his career he was a consultant to heat treaters around the world and also served as president of the Metal Treating Institute (MTI). In addition to his hard work and success he was a most extraordinary husband, father and grandfather. He married Shirley Ketcham in 1951 and together they had 6 daughters. They were founding members of the Wissahickon Ski Club, where they taught all of their daughters to ski, each from the age of 2. Together they raised their family across the street from the ski hill in an old farmhouse with a barn, which they restored. Three families of cousins and other friends, all classmates in the School of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, built homes in the surrounding neighborhood between Brook and Dogwood Lanes. In addition, they built a ski chalet and put up lights for night skiing on their club hill. They created a unique and wonderful environment in which they raised their families. The ski club still maintains the hill in full operation to this day. Conrad also spent many years skiing with his family at their "home away from home," Gore Mountain, in the Adirondacks of New York. In 1983, he married Susan Comstock Sawin and, along with her 4 children, they would say that together they had 10 children. Conrad and Sue spent much of their years together enjoying trips to exciting locations all around the world. Their travels were extensive, and include his last ski trip at the age of 84, where he skied the indoors slopes in Dubai while celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with Sue. He also loved to play tennis, and as a lifelong member of the Philadelphia Cricket Club, played several times a week until past the age of 90. Conrad was raised in a Quaker household and he embodied these principles in all that he did in life. He was deeply philosophical and always interested what others had to say. This made him a great listener, who always took others' viewpoints into consideration. This, combined with his quick wit and gentle loving ways, made him truly unique. He was deeply loved and will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Conrad is survived by his wife, Sue, 5 daughters, and 7 grandchildren; Andrea Havens (Mike) and Heather Daddio (Jim), Carrie O'Brien (Sean), Anita Guevara (Grauben) and Galen and Nicholas Guevara, Marcie Bailey (Ed) and Kingsley and Carl Delacato, Sarah Inforzato (Rob) and Mikaela and Robbie Inforzato, as well as his 4 step children and 5 step grandchildren, David Sawin (Melissa) and Rachel and Ellie Sawin, Susan Hamilton (Tim) and Clayton, William and Lauren Hamilton, Ed Sawin (Kai) and Greg Sawin. Conrad is also survived by his brothers Ted and Barry Knerr (Libby) and ten loving nieces and nephews. He is reunited now with his daughter Linnea Knerr and his sister Nancy Hough, who preceded him in death. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Conrad's life at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016, at St. Thomas' Church in Fort Washington. A reception will follow at the Philadelphia Cricket Club beginning at 3:00 p.m.