Thomas Knapp Creal III ’60

Thomas Knapp Creal III ’60 of Warren, Michigan, died in January from complications due to Covid-19. He was born in Jamestown, New York, on February 7, 1939, the eldest son of Thomas Knapp II and Rosalia Creal. After graduation from Deerfield Academy, he briefly attended Dartmouth and transferred to Syracuse University, where he received bachelor degrees in architecture and finance. In 1964 he joined the firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill in New York City, where he was the youngest junior partner in the firm’s history. In 1969 he returned to Warren to continue practicing architecture. During the course of 35 years his firm completed hundreds of projects, employed dozens of people in Warren, and developed a national practice of significant commercial buildings. Beginning in 1990 he undertook a series of historic buildings across the country and became a specialist in the field. He also designed more than 7,000 low-income and elderly housing units, winning the 1991 state award for the best housing project in Pennsylvania. Perhaps his greatest legacy was the love and confidence he instilled in his children by giving them unconditional support and encouraging them to work hard to achieve their dreams. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Christopher. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Anne; children Hope, Sarah, Thomas IV, and Franz; and 11 grandchildren.