John F. Knutson, 1940–2025

John Frederick Knutson died peacefully in Lincoln on December 26, 2025, at the age of 85. He was known for his kind and generous nature, his dynamic problem-solving abilities, and his thoughtful leadership skills in business and volunteer organizations. John was a patient and loving husband to Judy, a role model as a father and grandfather, a wise and caring brother, a loyal friend, and a humble contributor to his community.

John was born on August 31, 1940, in Framingham to Mary Barrett Knutson and Frederick William Knowlton Knutson. John was the middle sibling between two sisters: Katherine Knutson Meier and Carole Knutson Romp. The Knutson family grew up in a home full of music in Millbrook, N.Y., and John went to Millbrook School, where his father taught Latin and coached football. John was an outstanding student, excelling in math. He graduated from Yale University (’62), Stanford University (’64), and Harvard Business School (’68).

From 1964–66, John was a volunteer in the Peace Corps. After rigorous training, including an intensive Spanish conversation course, John was appointed professor of electrical engineering and tasked to set up the first computer at the University of La Paz in Bolivia. His time in the Peace Corps also included traveling with a doctor through the Bolivian countryside, testing communities for tuberculosis. Volunteering for the Peace Corps in Bolivia became a pivotal life experience for John.

In 1968, as John was finishing up at Harvard Business School, he met Judy Spicer. He moved to Detroit to begin his job with Chrysler Corp., asking Judy to join him. John and Judy were married on a snowy day in December 1968. Learning Spanish while in the Peace Corps and studying electrical engineering and business had directed him toward what would become a 33-year career at Chrysler Corporation. After John and Judy moved to Mexico City in 1969, their children, Christina and Carl, were born in the early 1970s.

John and Judy lived a total of 25 years in the Detroit area and 11 years in Mexico City. During that time, John’s position as deputy managing director of Chrysler de Mexico was especially rewarding for him. After John and the family returned for the second time to Detroit in 1983, he held several positions at Chrysler Corp. He particularly enjoyed his work as director of finance and international strategic plans, starting in 1985. At the time of the DaimlerChrysler merger in 1998, he was appointed vice president of product development finance.

After John’s retirement in 2001, he and Judy returned to Boston and had fun living in the city for 15 years. When John and Judy weren’t spending time with family or friends, John contributed to the well-being of nonprofits. He worked as a consultant for the Executive Service Corps and raised funds for the Latin American Scholarship Program of American Universities. As a board member of Wheelock College for 10 years, he participated in the successful merger of the school with Boston University.

John’s passion in life was singing. He sang with a beautiful tenor voice at Millbrook School, in the Yale Glee Club, the Duke’s Men of Yale and in the choirs of the Episcopal church in Mexico, Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Trinity Church in Boston as well as the Saengerfest Men’s Chorus. His interest in singing led both John and Judy to travel and sing with the Yale Alumni Chorus in fifteen different countries.

John enjoyed playing tennis and was the president of the Weekapaug Tennis Club in Rhode Island. Long-distance biking kept him active and happy, particularly in his later years.

Since 2020, John and Judy have lived at The Commons in Lincoln. Prior to that point, John was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia with Parkinsonism. Judy has devoted her time caring for him, keeping him comfortable and active with physical therapy sessions, and thoroughly researching his disease. John’s family is very thankful for the wonderful care he received for the last two years in the Harbor Mind and Memory Care on the campus at The Commons.

John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judith Spicer Knutson; his children (and spouses), Christina Knutson Honos (Edward Honos); Carl Frederick Knutson (Jennifer Couzens); and six grandchildren: Grace, Cate, and Luke Honos; Halle, Maren, and Finley Knutson. John is also survived by his sister, Carole (Dale Liebenthal), and niece and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his sister, Katherine, and his parents Mary and Fred Knutson.

The family will host private memorial services to celebrate John’s life during the year with specific dates to follow. In lieu of flowers, the Knutson family would be truly grateful for donations made to The Massachusetts General Hospital Lewy Body Dementia Research Fund in tribute to John Knutson. Donations may be made online,  or checks can be mailed to: Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary. Click here to share a memory or send condolences.