Kyle Knight
Dr. Kyle Sterling Knight, 54, died at home on August 8, 2020.
Dr. Knight was born on February 17, 1966 in Ft. Collins, CO to A. Sidney and Joanne Knight. The Knight family moved to Nashville in 1970 where Kyle graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1984. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1988 and was awarded his PhD degree in chemistry from Stanford University in 1994. He continued his research during a two-year NIH fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin. His professional life was centered on teaching chemistry at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His research into the mechanisms of transition metal catalyzed organic synthesis reactions was published in international journals such as the Journal of Physical Chemistry and the Journal of the American Chemical Society. He involved undergraduates in all of his research activities, mentoring over 40 students during his 23-year career at UTC. He sponsored the local chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon, the national chemistry honor society.
He was a devoted father who never wavered in his patience and love for his children. He loved teaching and was dedicated to his work. His warm friendly nature and easy smile made working with him a joy. He had a sense of humor that was infectious. On weekends you would find him kayaking or teaching kayaking on the Ocoee River. The dry-set rock walls he built and became known for remain symbols of his care for his children, his friends, family and his parenting partner.
He is survived by two sons, Thomas Knight and Christopher Knight, parents, Sid and Joanne Knight, sister, Shannon (Michael) Cook, niece and nephew, Abigail and Brendan Cook.
A service is planned in Chattanooga at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Kyle’s memory to either the Tennessee Scenic River Association (paddletsra.org) or the University of Chattanooga Foundation Fund for Chemistry (theucfoundation.org).
Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, 423 877-3524, lanefh.com.