Kermit Calvin Knowles

WATERVILLE – Local college professor, principal, high school teacher, basketball coach, golf fanatic, friend, and father, Kermit Calvin Knowles, passed away peacefully Friday, March 24, 2023, at the Maine General Comfort Care Unit in Augusta, surrounded by his family with a copy of the newest Golf Digest by his side.

“Kermie” or “Zike” to some, was born July 7, 1932, in Portland to Harry and Bertha Knowles. South Portland was the family home during the depression and World War II years. After the war the family moved back to the family farm in Bingham.

Kermit’s lifelong love of sports began with his involvement in the Bingham High School baseball and basketball teams. Here he excelled in both sports and at one time held the BHS scoring record for most points scored in a basketball game. He is also credited with naming the Bingham High School mascot the “Cavaliers”. He continued to play semi-pro baseball for the Farmington Flyers after high school.

Kermit graduated college from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio where he earned an athletic scholarship for baseball and wrestling. He stayed involved with BGSU sports throughout his life as a member of the alumni association and visiting the campus for functions in later years. He was always “in the know” of the current status of BGSU sports and could always be found with “Falcon” memorabilia. It was here that he first discovered his lifelong love for the game of golf. Kermit later pursued graduate studies and completed a master’s degree in education from the University of Maine, Orono.

Kermit started his teaching and coaching career at Pennell Institute in Gray and then on to Livermore Falls High School. After LFHS he moved back to Bingham and worked with his father as an electrical contractor until 1968 when he accepted a teaching and basketball coaching position at Unity College. Here he enjoyed success with the Unity College “Rams” basketball teams in the late ’60s and early 1970s. After Unity College he taught physical education and coached girls’ basketball at Upper Kennebec Valley MHS in Bingham. He finished his professional teaching career as the principle at Jackman High School.

His love of sports was consistent throughout his life with golf always at the forefront. “Zike” was a member at Lakewood Golf Course for many years where he won several club championships before joining the Waterville Country Club in the early 1990s. During the golf season “Kermie” could always be found at his second home, the WCC. He seldom missed playing in the Friday scrambles with his buddies and was a proud member of the 80/20 club at WCC. He traveled later in life to Ireland and Scotland to play in the home of golf and spent many winters in Florida golfing and visiting with family. May he forever play golf in the Golf Kingdom.

He left behind many loving family traditions. Most prominent was holiday cards. You could always count on getting a Charlie Brown card for birthdays or holidays from Dad and/or Grampa.

Kermit Knowles is survived by his brother, Duane Knowles; son Terry, daughter-in-law Nancy, daughter Michele, son-in-law Casey, daughter Kimberly; grandchildren Zachery, Brooke, Taylor and Corey; nephew David, niece Laura; and great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life to be held later this spring. Messages of Condolence may be left at http://www.gibersonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Madison and Bingham.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Comfort Care Unit at Maine General Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care at Glenridge in Augusta.