Lee Knauerhaze died Nov. 23, 2007, in Houston after a three-month battle with lung cancer.
Lee attended Hinsdale (Ill.) Central High School. At Princeton, he majored in Romance languages, joined Cloister, wrote for The Daily Princetonian and as a freelancer, sang in the Chapel Choir, and was an accomplished classical pianist. He studied in Madrid after junior year and assisted John Bartlow Martin in his biography of Adlai Stevenson. Lee roomed in Walker with Mercier, Clegg, and Wilgus, who recall a wonderful friend with a contagious sense of humor.
After receiving a master’s degree from Middlebury and an M.B.A., Lee became a Spanish teacher. He taught at St. John’s School in Houston for 30 years. “Captain K” was warmly remembered at a memorial program there as a kind, helpful, and generous friend with a glorious sense of fun and an irresistible laugh. He had an intense interest in his world — which included family, friends, colleagues and students, the Spanish language, his home, music, and electronics.
Colleagues were in constant attendance at the hospital in his last days. What went before was remarkably fine, lived with spirit, grace, and good humor.
Lee is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Lynne and Thomas Householder; his niece and nephew, Anne and Paul; and dear friends Margaret Thibodaux and Mildred Boozalis.