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Kappa Sigma
110th Anniversary of Beta-Chi Celebrated
2013 Hall of Fame Inductees
Walt Knecht '42
B
Fund Association and grand master of St. Louis
Kappa Sigma Alumni Chapter.
He says Beta-Chi helped develop the hard
work ethic he inherited from his father.
Walter earned his bachelor's degree in
chemical engineering in 1949 and his master's
in engineering administration from Washington
University in St. Louis in 1963. After graduation
from MSM he stayed involved with Kappa Sigma,
becoming president of the Beta-Chi Chapter House
Walter began his employment at
Mallinckrodt, which had a contract with
the Atomic Energy Commission for
developing uranium, as a development
engineer, then plant superintendent
and data processing manager. While
there, he was awarded a patent in 1960
for direct ingot process for producing
uranium. In 1965, he became the plant
data processing manager at Food
Machinery and Chemical Co. He then became
the EDP coordinator, group MIS manager,
and developed corporate long-range systems
plans. From 1979 until his retirement in 1991,
Walter was the senior staff analyst for Union
efore attending Missouri School of Mines,
Walter Knecht '45, along with three others
from his high school, was asked to visit the
campus by two Beta-Chi members.
"After our meeting we were asked to
pledge, and we all decided it would be
a great organization. It also provided
one of the lowest costs of living
accommodations."
Carbide, where he developed and implemented
an international sales information system for
multiple divisions of Union Carbide.
One of his favorite memories in the Chapter is a
lesson in teamwork. "One of our members' cars
needed a new transmission. He found one at a
used parts store and ended up installing it upside
down, resulting in three speeds in reverse and
one forward. A few of us helped him take it back
out and install it properly."
Walter and his wife of over 60 years, Shirley,
live in Sun City West, Arizona, and have one
son, Keith. Walter has written his autobiography
and learned to fly. He is an active volunteer in
the community and enjoys gardening, travel,
and reading.
