Dr. Constance Kay (Petersen) Knop passed away on May 15, 2025. She was born on September 15, 1937, in Kenosha, WI, to Valiere (Anderson) and William Petersen. She graduated with honors from Kenosha High School and completed her Bachelor’s (Phi Beta Kappa), Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin- Madison where she was a professor of Curriculum and Instruction and French and Italian for 35 years. Additional studies were completed at Middlebury College (VT), the Sorbonne in Paris and the Université de Pau in France.
Prof. Knop was a renowned leader in the field of foreign language methodology. She wrote numerous books and articles on the teaching of a second language. In her writing, teaching and well received workshops and keynote addresses delivered around the country, theory was combined with practical applications and then presented with enthusiasm and wit.
Dr. Knop was active in a wide variety of professional organizations, as a founding member of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and a leader in the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers and the Central States Conference on Language Teaching. She received many awards for her achievements, including ACTFL awards for “Leadership in Foreign Language Teaching” and for “Outstanding Foreign Language Educator in the United States.” In 1989, the Wisconsin Department of Education named her “Teacher Educator of the Year.” The University of Wisconsin-Madison bestowed upon her a “Distinguished Teaching Award” as well as the title of the Pickard-Bascom Professor of French in recognition of her many achievements in teaching and scholarship. The French Government awarded her its highest honor for outstanding academic achievements and promotion of the French language and culture by knighting her in the name of “Chevalier dans l’ordre des Palmes Académiques.”
Her greatest professional pride was in the gradates of her French teacher preparation who were known as “Knopettes” and were renowned for their excellence in teaching and for their dedication to their students. These same characteristics applied to Prof. Knop herself.
Connie enjoyed a life-long love affair with France, greatly appreciating its language, literature and culture. She relished the time she spent living and studying there. Over the years she also had many enjoyable times in New York City, going to the theater and museums and dining with friends. Most of all, she treasured the time spent with people she loved in and around Madison, which she considered her home. Connie hoped that her family, friends, colleagues and former students knew how much she appreciated their love and support throughout the years and realize how much they enriched her life.
Dr. Knop was preceded in death by her beloved daughters, Laura and Andrea Knop; her dear parents; younger brothers, Jack and Gary Petersen; her much loved grandmother, Frances Andrews Anderson; and her long-time treasured partner, Dr. Frank Grittner. She is survived by her beloved family: her son, David (Teresa); grandchildren, Michael (Lauren) Knop, Morgan (Brandon) Erickson and Ryan Bentz; and great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Maren Knop and Cohen Erickson. She is further survived by her loving sister, Carol Mosey; sister-in-law, Mary Petersen; as well as by several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held in her honor at a future date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Constance K. Knop Scholarship, University of Wisconsin Foundation, 1848 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53726. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.