Derek T. Knudsen ’65

Derek T. Knudsen ’65 died in San Rafael, California, on December 24, 2024, from Still’s disease. Derek came to Dartmouth from San Rafael, California. He was a member of Gamma Delta Chi and the Dartmouth Outing Club and was active in alumni affairs as a class and club officer. He continued on to Tuck and in 1969 received a J.D. from Harvard. He located in San Francisco, practicing estate and gift tax law as a certified tax specialist. While Derek cherished his all-male experience at Dartmouth, once he had daughter Paisley, he wanted the same opportunities available for young women and established a scholarship at Dartmouth for students from Northern California. He also continued in leadership and service, serving on multiple charitable boards, including Coro Foundation, Bread & Roses, the Goldman Foundation, and La Casa de Las Madres. Derek taught himself to cook for his daughter, making his own butter and stocks, breads and pâtés, pastas and pastries. This came in handy when he met his future wife, Marguerite Leoni, who shared Derek’s passion for family, the law, California, athletic pursuits, travel, entertaining, and the performing arts. They were devoted to each other for four decades. Derek worked in private practice until his illness forced him into retirement. From there, he found joy in granddaughter Eden and his family and friends. He is survived by Marguerite and her family, daughter Paisley, and granddaughter Eden.