Lincoln C. Knowles

Palm Beach Gardens - Lincoln C. Knowles, family man, educator and coach, passed away at his home in Palm Beach Gardens on October 30, 2021 at the age of 88, surrounded by this loving wife of 68 years, Joann, and his daughters Debbie and Lori. He was born in Riviera Beach on November 23, 1932 to Joseph and Ethel Knowles and grew up in Riviera Beach.

Lincoln attended Palm Beach High School where he was a class officer and excelled in athletics, specifically football and track and field. He was a star running back on the football team and established State records in the high and low hurdles including a State record in the 120 yard high hurdles that stood for over a decade. He received the prestigious student athlete Michigan Plaque in 1951. It was at Palm Beach High that he met Joann. They married in 1953. Upon graduation from high school, he was offered full football scholarships to six universities and chose the University of Florida where, as a freshman, he played in the Rose Bowl. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 where he was a member of the All-Army Track & Field Team. After his discharge, he returned to the University of Florida, receiving his BA in Education in 1958. At Florida, he was captain of the Track Team and was a 3-time SEC champion.

Upon graduation from UF, he, Joann and his now two daughters returned to Riviera Beach and he became a teacher at Riviera Beach High School (later Suncoast High School) where he coached football, track and one year of basketball, as well as serving as Athletic Director for many years. He later taught and coached track at Forest Hills High School, Jupiter High School and William T. Dwyer High School. Up until April of this year, he served as Assistant Coach to the Girl's Track Team at William T. Dwyer High School. Coach Knowles was a great ambassador of track and field in Palm Beach County and was most proud of the accomplishments of his students and athletes. In 1986, he was elected to the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame and in 1995, was elected to the Florida Track & Field Hall of Fame. In 2012, the Lincoln Knowles Track was dedicated at William T. Dwyer High School and earlier this year, the Lincoln Knowles Invitational Track & Field Meet was inaugurated at the school.

Lincoln was an avid fan of the Florida Gators, the Miami Hurricanes (unless they were playing the Gators) and NFL football. He especially enjoyed country music and traveling with his family including numerous fall trips to Maggie Valley, North Carolina and trips to Marathon in the Florida Keys and visiting Captain Tony's in Key West. He loved fishing with the family and especially his grandson. He was a frequent visitor to the Palm Beach Kennel Club and later in life enjoyed horse racing at Gulfstream and wagering on-line with his son-in-law. He was a beacon of light for his family and a great storyteller, whose stories will forever keep us laughing.

He is survived by his loving wife Joann, his daughter Debbie Bochnovich and son-in-law Rich, his daughter Lori Gramaglia and son-in-law and best friend Phil, grandson Andrew Bochnovich, siblings Beulah Moree, Hazel Sprague and Garnett Knowles, close friend and brother-in-law Gene Joyce and numerous nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. He was predeceased by siblings Cleveland Knowles, Vernal Knowles, Alease Anderson, Curtis Knowles, Viola Joyce and Roberta Ingram.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at William T. Dwyer High School (13601 Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens) on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 12:00 noon. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park (6411 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach) at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lincoln's memory to Vitas Healthcare (1901 South Congress Avenue, Suite 420, Boynton Beach, FL 33437) or the William T. Dwyer High School - Donation to Athletics in Memory of Coach Knowles at the address above.

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/obituaries/p0161071