John Atkinson Knauss was an American oceanographer, meteorologist and administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1989 to 1993. John Knauss received his doctorate in oceanography from the Scripps/UCLA system. He then went on to lead the oceanography department at the University of Rhode Island. His close relationship with Gordon Lill enabled him to advance his program and to procure a ship for at sea work.
 
Born: September 1, 1925, Detroit, MI
Died: November 19, 2015 (age 90 years), Saunderstown, N. Kingstown, RI