Purdue staff member dies, cause unknown

By Kurt Esposito
Summer Editor

Ken Burns said he will miss the way his friend Laverne L. Knodle was always able to use his sense of humor to make the workplace a relaxed setting.

"Laverne was a people person with a tremendous ability to relate well with people at all levels of the organization," said Burns, executive vice president and treasurer.

Knodle, 56, died unexpectedly Tuesday; the cause of death is sill unknown.

Burns said it was too hard to remember some of his favorites moments with Knodle, but said Knodle was hardworking in addition to his humorous side. "He was one of those rare people that brought a sense of humor to the job as well as a high quality of personal efforts."

Burns said Knodle had the ability to help people relax during a tense moment and help them focus on whatever task they were working on.

Joe Bennett, vice president of University relations, said, "He was very good at getting people to look at the big picture and not have them focus on their differences."

He said Knodle was dedicated to Purdue and its image and would routinely call Bennett to notify him if the local media had incorrectly printed or broadcasted something about Purdue.

"He was real attentive to what was going on. I got real early phone calls a lot of times, " he said.

He said Knodle was able to improve communication between whatever department he was located in and the rest of the departments. He would issue regular updates on what his department was doing.

Knodle once also helped Purdue makes its budget request to the state senate. Bennett said Knodle was able to keep Purdue informed on the legislative processes it had to go through and if any changes needed to be made.

Knodle was an avid golfer and he ran in many local races. He also was involved with various organizations including the Elk's Lodge and the Greater Lafayette Vision 2020 Task Force.

He joined the Purdue staff in 1967 as an administrative assistant. Among the positions he held were assistant to the director of regional campus business affairs, director budget of analytical studies, director of fiscal planning and comptroller.

At the time of his death he was executive director of management information and an instructor of a personal relations course at the Krannert School of Management.

Burns said, "(He was) just a funny guy, he always found a humorous side of a dull moment."

He said he will always remember the accomplishments and outstanding abilities of his friend.

• Calling to the public will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Richards-Loy & Wheeler funeral home, 914 Columbia St. The funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. James Lutheran Church, 800 Cincinnati St. Donations can be sent to St. James Lutheran Church.

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