Dr. Wilfred Konneker dies at 93
McClain High School graduate and local philanthropist Dr. Wilfred Konneker passed away Thursday, Jan. 7, according to a report by Ohio University.
Konneker was 93.
Dr. Konneker was born Feb. 20, 1922 and grew up in Greenfield, graduating from McClain High School, according to OU. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Ohio University.
Along with his wife, Ann, Konneker is the namesake of the Konneker Education Museum in Greenfield, which is operated by the Greenfield Historical Society. The museum is the former Old Seceders Presbyterian Church and an early two-room school, according to the Greenfield Historical Society website.
Dr. Konneker was also a founder of the Manasseh Cutler Scholar program at his alma mater Ohio University, according to the Cutler Scholars web site (cutlerscholars.org). Since the program’s founding in 1995, Konneker has funded scholarships to McClain High School students pursuing higher education at OU.
An Ohio University press release states that Konneker “made a lasting impact on Ohio University.”
“During his lifetime, the Konnekers donated more than $15 million to Ohio University,” the press release said.
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According to OU, Konneker earned a doctorate of nuclear physics from Washington University in 1950 and was a “founder of the Nuclear Consultants Corporation in St. Louis, Mo., which merged with Mallenckrodt, Inc.
“He also either founded or co-founded six additional high-tech start-up companies,” OU reported.
In addition to his contributions to the Greenfield community, the Konnekers were responsible for numerous improvements to the OU campus.
“In 1980, the Konnekers made a generous gift to the University to purchase what is now known as Konneker Alumni Center,” the press release said. “The Konneker Research Laboratories, located on The Ridges, opened and was dedicated in 1996 in recognition of Will Konneker’s leadership and service to the University. A gift from the Konnekers to the Foundation created the Konneker Fund for Learning and Discovery, a quasi-endowment dedicated to supporting innovative research, graduate education and undergraduate learning initiatives at the university.
“In 2012, the Ohio University Foundation established the Konneker Medal for Commercialization and Entrepreneurship to recognize current and former faculty or students who have demonstrated excellence in innovation, invention, commercialization and entrepreneurship. The medal honors Will Konneker’s achievements in these areas.”
According to Dr. Konneker’s obituary, a celebration of life will be held this spring in Athens, with the date to be determined.
Dr. Konneker’s obituary is online at https://www.stlouiscremation.com/obituary/wilfred-r-konneker. For more information, visit Ohio University’s article at https://www.ohio.edu/compass/stories/15-16/01/Ohio-University-mourns-the-death-of-Wilfred-R-Konneker.cfm.