People:
Casey Knutson (1979-2008)
Columbus, Ohio / Poynette -- Casey G. Knutson, age 29, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at his home in Ohio. He was born on October 1, 1979, in Madison, the son of Duane Knutson and Jeanette Knutson Enright.
Casey graduated with honors from Poynette High School in 1998. A lover of baseball from early childhood, he excelled in it through high school, receiving all-conference honors in his senior year. His fast pitch softball prowess started at age 12 and culminated at age 18 as a member of the National Fast Pitch Championship team. Casey earned his bachelor’s degree in 2003 from UW-Whitewater, with an interim stop to study in Sweden for one semester, graduating with honors. Casey worked for the International Forgiveness Institute, Inc. for several years serving schools in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Madison and Milwaukee. Casey was a proud author of several publications centered on forgiveness education programs for peace. He later went on to earn his Master’s degree from The Ohio State University, graduating this past spring in Sociology. He was currently working on his Ph.D. there. At Ohio State, Casey focused on studying work and social inequality. His Master’s Thesis received high praise from his advisors. As a Teaching Associate for the Introduction to Sociology and Sociology Research Methods courses, his professors saw Casey as energetic, talented, and sought after by faculty and students alike. He was awarded the Center for Survey Research Fellowship during the summer 2008. As a Research Assistant for Professor Cynthia Colen, they co-authored a paper recently accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Population Association of America.
Casey not only continued his baseball career after high school through the Poynette Home Talent League but also was a dearly loved Little League Coach in Madison. He enjoyed playing on an Ultimate Frisbee league in Columbus, loved the outdoors, and delighted in the many hunting trips with his dad, brother, and family. He traveled extensively in Europe with his family, backpacking with his brother.
His greatest attribute was the love that poured from his heart for family and friends, many, many friends. He was a devoted and treasured son and brother. He loved to learn, had a deep passion for life, and had a servant’s heart.
