Kneeland Nesius, 81, passed away on June 2, 2023 at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was born on July 6, 1941 in Rensselaer, Indiana to Lois Alson Nesius and Arthur Nesius. Kneeland attended Jordan Elementary School and Rensselaer High School. He graduated from Purdue University with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. He taught Plant Physiology, Botany, and General Biology for 45 years at Old Dominion University. He also served as Assistant Chairman and Student Advisor for the majority of those years.

Kneeland is survived by his wife Carolyn; sons, Mark and Thad; daughter Michelle and husband Brent Roberts; two grandsons, Matthew and Jason; his brother, Tom and wife Diana; sister Judy and husband Larry Koebcke; sister-in-law, Susan and numerous nieces and nephews. Kneeland was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bruce and Jim, and sister-in-law Sharon.

Kneeland will be remembered for his love of teaching, his “millions” of plants scattered throughout the house and yard, by the fish he didn’t catch, but most especially for his love of his wife of 58 years, his three children, and his two grandchildren who lovingly referred to him as Papa.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 10, 2023 at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church 5345 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 followed by a gathering of friends and family in the church social hall. Kneeland will be buried at Weston Cemetery in a private ceremony located in Rensselaer, Indiana. Friends and relatives are invited to share memories of Kneeland at the Highland Barn at Pumpkin Vine Trail in Rensselaer, Indiana on July 15, 2023. Please visit www.vacremationsociety.com to share memories and offer condolences.