A Tribute to My Grandfather

Written by loving granddaughter, Eva Marie Knotts-Scott 

July 15, 2023

Russell Chester Knotts of Columbus, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 in Clearwater, Florida. Russell was born on March 5, 1923 to Asher and Eva Knotts in Delaware, Ohio.

Russell was preceded in passing by his parents, siblings Eileen, Lois and Jack, and former spouse, Mary (Reitter) Knotts (d. 2009). He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Paula Knotts; children from his first marriage, Elaine Knotts of Clearwater, Florida, and Christopher Knotts of Yellow Springs, Ohio; grandchildren, Amber (Jack) Clark, Sabra Hudson, Tiffany Leslie, Ben Knotts and Eva (Brett) Knotts-Scott; thirteen great-grandchildren: Ian, Matthew, Evan Milowic; David Gloeckner; Kadelyn and Zoe Lafferty, Isabella and Ethan Taylor, and Baby Leslie (due August 1st); Maddox Knotts; Asher Knotts, Cameron and Vaeda Scott; 

Russell was a heavily decorated World War II United States Army veteran, serving as Staff Sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment–known to the Germans as the “Devils in Baggy Pants.” He fought numerous infamous battles, including Operation Market Garden and Battle of the Bulge. Fun fact: Russell tried to join the army before the war and was turned away because he was too skinny! However, he was eventually drafted shortly after that. With a purple heart, he safely made it home to his mother in Delaware.

Not long after the war, he married and started a family in Columbus. He was a very wonderful provider and worked hard all of his life. He eventually was hired as welder and then became co-owner of Ohio Steel Industries in Columbus, Ohio where the company would produce lawn equipment as well as build several structures all around the city. The Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC) at Ohio State University is one example of what the company has built. Despite retiring, Russell would still visit the plant or get on the phone and participate in company meetings; this continued up until the very last months of his life.

Russell loved reading, the man had to have a daily newspaper along with his morning breakfast–which was usually McDonald’s that he got himself. Golf was his favorite sport to play, which he was able to play up into his 90’s. He loved watching college basketball and football; Ohio State was always on the TV, especially the important games. He also enjoyed falling asleep to the National Geographic channel while sitting in his recliner. He once said that if he had the opportunity to go to college, he would have been an archeologist like Indiana Jones.

Russell also enjoyed traveling, and living in Florida with Paula during Ohio’s brutal winters.

He was very much part of the “Greatest Generation,” having lived through the Great Depression and World War II. He had to survive hardship, solve problems and develop great resilience. He always emulated the characteristics of personal responsibility, humility, strong work ethic, frugality, commitment, integrity and self-sacrifice. He would often preach to the young ones about them as well.

He attributed his long life of 100 years to drinking milk, engaging in his hobbies regularly and most importantly, not worrying about things he had no control over.

Russell was certainly the “Man of Steel,” and he also had a heart of gold. He was a hero. Our hero.

***Services are pending and will be outlined in the formal obituary that will be published in the Columbus Dispatch this upcoming week. 

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