Hugh (Knip) Knipmeyer died peacefully on Sept. 19 surrounded by his loving family. He was 85.

His wife Midge, four children and seven grandchildren survive him. He and Midge were married for 63 years and the parents of two sets of twins, Ken and Steve, and Matthew and Betsy (Gibson). Grandchildren are Steve’s daughter Katherine, Betsy’s children Eliza, Doug, and Meredith, and Matthew’s children Amelia, Cooper, and Chase. Knip was very proud of his children and grandchildren and relished being part of their lives.

Knip was born in Sharon, Conn. on Nov. 7, 1929. He graduated from MIT with a Bachelor of Science and then earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Illinois. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army at the Atomic Weapons School before joining E.I. Du Pont de Nemours as a chemist. He spent his entire career there until retiring as an executive in 1992. His career spawned a lifetime love of travel.

In 1999 Knip and Midge moved full time to the Vineyard. Hugh deeply loved the Vineyard ever since his fiancée Midge introduced him in 1949. He and Midge and family summered there every year after. The Island was the thread that bound together many of his family’s most memorable experiences.

Knip was always involved in Island service, and over time served in many capacities to preserve Island history and build the community. He was chairman of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum board, and was awarded the Martha’s Vineyard Medal by the museum in 2012 for his lifetime contributions to the Island.

Knip was an active Rotary member and had previously served as president of the West Chop Club and president of the Mink Meadows Association.

Although Knip was educated and practiced as an organic chemist, he enjoyed reading about all aspects of the physical sciences. He was especially interested in questions with philosophical roots such as cosmology and the laws of physics. He was always curious about the world and never stopped learning.

He prized education, critical thinking, and informed citizenship as vital qualities for every individual. He was a passionate lifelong student of American history who held the founding fathers in the highest regard for their courage, clarity of vision and selfless devotion to country.

He was especially grateful for the education he received at MIT. He was very proud of his alma mater and its role in the ongoing advancement of science and engineering.

Knip loved playing contract bridge and achieved the distinction of Gold Life Master. The game was the perfect blend of analytical thinking and intellectual competition that suited his personality.

Knip enjoyed Dilbert cartoons for their critical and wry interpretation of corporate life in a style that closely matched his own sense of humor.

He always loved cats and dogs beginning with his first childhood dog, Skipper. He especially enjoyed the companionship of a warm, sleeping cat on his lap while he worked through the considerable stack of reading material that was always at his side.

Knip closely followed his beloved baseball team, the New York Yankees, through every season beginning with the radio broadcasts from his childhood. He loved the Yankees for their long and storied history and freely declared his devotion even when surrounded by Red Sox fans.

The family plans a private service shortly, followed by a memorial for all friends to be held next summer. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum would be welcome. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum address is 59 School Street (PO Box 1310), Edgartown, MA 02539, or mvmuseum.org.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for an online guest book.