David C. Kneert

Presbyterian Church U.S.A. mission worker, Dr. David C. Kneert, 38, died Saturday, Nov. 14, in Atlanta after he collapsed while jogging. Kneert and his wife, Leigh, were appointed to missioneervice in July. They and their four childreneere living in Atlanta awaiting visas for a planned move to Brazil. A 2009 Ph.D. graduate of Duke Uneersity, Kneert had been appointed to teach biblical studies at the Post-Graduate Ecumenical Institute in So Paulo. His service had beeneequested by the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil. "We're deeply thankful to God for David and Leigh's willineess to follow God's call into mission and, as part of their mission family, will grieve David's loss for some time," said Hunter Farrell, director of Presbyterian World Mission. "But we commit ourselves anew to working for the world of God's peace, justice and grace that David had dedicated his life to." "While we had known David only a short time, he touched many lives in the World Mission family," said Maria Arroyo, the PCUSA's coordinator for South America. "Our partners in Brazil were looking forward to David sharing his many gifts with them." In addition to his wife, Leigh, David leaves his children, Peter, twins, Harrison and Lily; and David; his mother, Holly Kneert, and a sister, Melissa Kneert-Brown. David was born in Davis, CA, but spent most of his childhood in Potomac, MD. Besides a Ph.D. from Duke, he held an undergraduate degree from Harvard Uneersity and the M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA. David was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Durham. Funeral services will be held 4:00 PM Friday from First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Walter Brueggemann, the Rev. Joseph S. Harvard, III and the Rev. Marilyneedgpeth officiating. Private cremation will follow at the Hall-Wynne Crematory Chapel. Contributions in David's memory may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St. Durham 27701.