New Bern — Dr. Rufus Knott passed away on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018 at Homeplace Assisted Living.

Rufus was born on May 16, 1938 in Washington, NC to Lee Edward Knott and Pauline Meeder Knott. He attended St. Agnes Academy through the eighth grade, then graduated from Washington High School in June 1956. Rufus attended UNC-CH for undergraduate and medical school. He interned at Georgia Medical School in Augusta, GA. Following the internship, Rufus served an ENT (Ears, Nose, and Throat) residency at Duke Medical School. Upon completion, he was Major in the US Air Force at Scott AFB where he was chief of ENT surgery during the Vietnam War.

He entered private practice in Greenville, NC at Pitt ENT for thirty years. He was named a Fellow by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology.

Rufus was raised in the Episcopal Church, growing up as a member of St. Peter’s in Washington, NC. Later, he was a member of St. Paul’s in Greenville, NC. Rufus remained a spiritual man throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Lee Jr., and his beloved daughter Lynn. Rufus is survived by his younger brother Eddie, his wife Rena, and sons Edmund and Lee III, and their families, along with son Rusty, his wife Elise, and his grandchildren Clara and Seth.

The family of Rufus would like to express our thanks to Homeplace Assisted Living in New Bern, Craven County Hospice, and Assisting at Home, LLC, along with numerous family and friends who have been incredibly supportive this past year.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018 at 2p.m. at Oakdale Cemetery (aka Washington Cemetery) on N. Market St. in Washington, NC. Funeral arrangements are provided by Paul Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Craven County Health Department Foundation for Hospice.