Ken Knippel, Beloved and Respected Aldine ISD Administrator Passes Away

Ken Knippel, who devoted 39 years to Aldine ISD and was a respected educator and leader across the district, passed away surrounded by his family and loved ones on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Ken Knippel devoted 39 years to the students and staff of Aldine ISD.

During his 39 years in Aldine, Ken served as a teacher, coach, and as an assistant principal at Aldine Middle School and MacArthur High School. He served as principal of Dunn Elementary School, Parker Intermediate School (which he opened), Nimitz Ninth Grade School (which he also opened) and Nimitz High School. He completed his career in Aldine as the Assistant Superintendent of Administration, a position he held for 13 years.

He is survived by his loving wife Susan, daughter Katherine (Katie), son-in-law Andres Gomez and granddaughter Alexandra, daughter Emily and son-in-law Stephen Lopez and daughter Amanda.

During his 39 years in Aldine, he served as a mentor to many, provided guidance and advice to Aldine’s leadership team and was known as a proud graduate of Texas Tech University and a staunch Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers fan.

“Aldine ISD has lost a giant with the passing of Ken Knippel,” said Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “Ken devoted 39 years to Aldine and served in a number of capacities and excelled in all of them. Although we only worked together for a short time, Ken was instrumental in making my transition from Lufkin to Aldine a smooth one. Ken was loved and respected by so many people in Aldine and his passing will leave a void that will not be easily filled. On behalf of our Board of Trustees and the entire district, I want to send our heartfelt condolences to his family.

“What will be missed most is Ken’s kind and thoughtful assistance to all his colleagues and students. He was a gentleman, an educator, and a real humanitarian in all his dealings with people and situations. He was one of the first, for example, to assist families in our community during Hurricane Harvey,” Dr. Goffney said.

Former Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg, who worked closely with Ken for many years, said Ken was a valuable voice who she depended on when it came time to make crucial decisions that impacted Aldine’s students and staff.

“Ken had such a huge impact on the district. He had a tremendous understanding and context of the entire district,” Dr. Bamberg said. “He had a keen memory and could always provide context when we as a cabinet discussed issues and made decisions. I relied on him and I knew that he always gave me honest input and feedback. When I sent out a text or a call for help, he was usually the first to respond. I knew I could count on him because of his strong work ethic and dedication for what was right for students and staff. He was completely dedicated to Aldine.”

As a principal, he took a personal interest in all of his students, Dr. Bamberg said.

“I watched him at Nimitz graduations and he always spoke to each graduate while shaking their hands and providing words of encouragement for their futures,” she said. “As a principal he touched numerous lives.”

Dr. Bamberg echoed Dr. Goffney’s sentiments concerning Ken and his service to help out those in need.

“Ken was always helping. I remember him driving me from my home in high water to the Child Nutrition Center after Hurricane Harvey so we could make sandwiches for those who were sheltered at the MOC,” she said.

Ken enjoyed his coffee, and could be seen carrying a huge cup of it on a daily basis. And he was also known for carrying a small notebook with him that he would use to jot down notes and reminders.

Dr. Bamberg added that he helped develop future principals and district-level administrators thanks to his guidance and sharing of his vast experience.

“He always made sure we were true to our processes and procedures so that we could do our best work,” Dr. Bamberg said. “He trained many, many people to do the same. Ken had a huge impact on Aldine students and staff. He will be missed but he leaves a tremendous legacy.”

Ken delivered remarks to operations department employees during the 2018 Convocation, reminding them of the vital role they play on a daily basis in the lives of Aldine students.“

“All of you in this room are important to our students’ success,” he said. “It’s not what you do, but how you do it. You add value. You are the face of Aldine. We appreciate each and every one of you for what you do. When people see you, they see Aldine and I want to thank you for that.”

Anne Hazzan, one of Ken’s closest friends and cohorts, worked with Ken at Nimitz Ninth and served on the cabinet with him when she became assistant superintendent of finance. She said her friend was a well-rounded individual who was dedicated to his faith, family and profession.

“Ken was a man who was deeply rooted in his faith,” she said. “He loved God, his family, his friends and his work. Anyone who worked with Ken can attest to his vast knowledge in the field of education. He had an unwavering desire to do whatever was necessary to support the students and staff of Aldine ISD. Ken had an enormous and positive impact on the many lives he touched throughout his career in Aldine.”

Another close co-worker, Candice Moore, executive director of Student Services, said she cherished the years she worked with Ken.

“Over the years, our paths crossed often, working on problems, projects or just greeting each other at meetings,” Moore said. “Ken started supervising Student Services and I knew he was always there for me, guiding me, supporting me and even having my back sometimes when maybe he shouldn’t have. When Ken retired, more and more people started telling me Ken stories. How they had this very special relationship with him. How he changed their lives. How he got their career on the right path. How he helped them help kids be better.”

One of those he mentored was Tom Colwell, who now serves as Aldine’s director of safe and secure schools. Prior to becoming a district administrator, Colwell served as principal of Carver High School and Davis High School.

“Ken was my supervisor, mentor, father figure, big brother and friend all in one,” Colwell said “As one of Ken’s principals when I first went to Carver and then we opened Davis High School, he always had high expectations. He would help and provide guidance whenever I needed it. He’d chew me out if I needed that, but never held anything against me. He was encouraging. He taught me about accountability and holding others accountable. He insisted we set clear expectations for both students and staff.”

As many are aware, Ken was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan and sports fan overall. Colwell shared that the two attended two NFL games on the same day.

“One year, we went to two NFL games in one day. We started at NRG Stadium to watch the Texans play the Lions. We left at the end of the third quarter and drove to Arlington to catch the Cowboys play the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. We had a blast!” he said.

While Ken served as a mentor to many, he was mentored by former Superintendent Nadine Kujawa and former Assistant Superintendent of Administration Vernon Lewis.

Mrs. Kujawa said Ken was a unique individual whose leadership qualities were recognized very early in his career.

“Ken Knippel was a teacher, principal and an administrator who served the Aldine district and community for many years,” Mrs. Kujawa said. “He was one of the most educated, committed and respected individuals with whom I had the privilege of working with during my years in Aldine. His impact on teachers, students and parents was evident in all that he did as he served as a teacher and mentor to so many during his 39 years in Aldine. He will be remembered as a tremendous leader and a good and kind person.”

Lewis said it didn’t take him long to figure out that Ken was a natural leader and a special person.

“I knew from the get-go his passion for kids and curriculum and how he worked and supported his staff,” Lewis said. “Nimitz Nine opened and since he had previously opened a new school he was again selected for his creativity, staff selection and program development. Nimitz High then became available and it needed a strong leader to follow behind John Amshoff. Ken was a natural for the position taking what John started and taking it to the next level.

“Ken’s innovations and steadfast belief in discipline and a concern for the safety of students, along with his computer skills, led him to be selected to replace me as assistant superintendent of administration. He took my position as I suspected and took it to a level the district had not previously seen. His creativity, leadership skills and his ability to get along with staff and parents made him a great leader.”

Aldine was fortunate Ken shared his talents, skills and devotion to the district for 39 years. His contributions to the district, its students and staff will never be forgotten and will forever be appreciated and cherished.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that individuals donate to Ken’s endowed scholarship for Aldine ISD graduates. Gifts can be made online at https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/AldineEducationFoundation/support.html. Donors should add Ken’s name in the comments section at the bottom of the online donation form (i.e.: for the Ken Knippel scholarship). Checks can also be made payable to: Aldine Education Foundation, Attn: Michele McGovern, 2520 W.W. Thorne Blvd., Houston, TX 77073.

A Visitation for Ken will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2 at Klein Funeral Home (16131 Champions Forest) from 5-8 p.m. with a vigil beginning at 6:30 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held for Ken on Monday, Feb. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Spring (2601 Spring Stuebner Rd.).