Obituary of Amy Jean Knorr

Amy Jean Holmblade Knorr 1916 – 2023 University of Arizona Professor Emerita, School of Family and Consumer Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences died July 24, 2023. Amy Jean was born November 28, 1916 on a farm in Rochelle, Illinois and grew up on her parent’s farm in Whitehall, Michigan. She earned her B.S. Degree from Michigan State University, her Masters in Home Economics Education from the University of Minnesota, and her Ph.D. in Higher Education from Michigan State University.

Amy Jean taught High School Home Economics for 5 years in Michigan before moving to Minnesota to enter the Master’s program. She participated actively on the faculties of Iowa State Teacher’s College (now the University of Northern Iowa), Michigan State University, and the University of Minnesota. In 1964 she moved to Tucson with her husband, the late Dr. Philip Knorr. She worked for the Agency for International Development and the Arizona Department of Vocational Education until 1970 when she joined the faculty of the University of Arizona in the School of Home Economics.

While actively involved in many aspects of the academic program she was dedicated to her role as an educator and had significant influence on her many students as a caring and committed teacher, advisor, and mentor. She helped students to have a vision for their future and to use their university experiences to reach their life and career goals. She retired in 1983. Amy Jean continued her interest and influence at the University of Arizona through her participation on the alumni Council of the Norton School for Family and Consumer Sciences and with the University of Arizona Retiree’s Association. She established and endowed scholarships in the Foundations of the Universities at Michigan State, Minnesota, and Arizona and a fellowship at Minnesota to assist students studying in fields involving aspects of family education.

She was recognized in the Arizona Home Economics Hall of Fame (1986), received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Home Economics Association (1992) and named an Honorary Alumna of the University of Arizona (1993). The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona awarded her the Eugene G. Sander Lifetime Achievement Award (1999).

She is survived by many loving nephews and nieces.

Contributions in her memory may be made to: UA Foundation, Any Jean Knorr Endowment, P.O. Box 210036, Tucson, AZ 85721-0036.

A gathering of family and friends to share memories of Amy Jean will be announced at a later date.