I write with the sad news that Kathleen Knippler has passed away. She died peacefully on Sunday night, surrounded by her family.
Kathleen graduated with honors from Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1988. She joined the Middlebury College community in August 1990 and served in a number of administrative roles, including executive secretary and research associate for President Emeritus Olin Robison, assistant to the vice president for undergraduate affairs, and assistant to the secretary of the College. Kathleen retired from the College in September 2009.
For 15 years Kathleen served as commencement coordinator, and represented Middlebury College as a member of the North American Association of Commencement Officers. She took enormous pride in guiding every aspect of commencement weekend to ensure a memorable event for graduates and their families. Kathleen successfully managed the additional logistics associated with such high-profile commencement speakers as Lech Walesa, Mister (Fred) Rogers, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Christopher and Dana Reeve, New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and President Bill Clinton. The Burlington, Vermont, office of the United States Secret Service praised Kathleen as the most organized commencement officer with whom they had ever worked.
Kathleen will be remembered as a warm, thoughtful, and caring person, who will be missed by her many friends, both on campus and off. Our condolences go to Kathleen’s husband, Rob, and her son, David Kloepfer, who works as the technical coordinator in the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL).
Plans for a memorial service honoring Kathleen’s life have not been finalized. Information will be forthcoming from the Chaplain’s Office.
C. Drew Macan, SPHR
Associate Vice President for Human Resources
and Organizational Development
Middlebury College
(802) 443-5261