Achim Knust Obituary

Achim Knust, 87, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, April 12, 2025. He is survived by his children, Bryan Knust and Tanja Sullivan, as well as their respective spouses and three grandchildren, whose smiles he adored. Achim built a life he cherished in Norwalk with his late wife, Pauline, for more than 48 years prior to moving to New York City.

Born in East Germany in June 1937, Achim grew up in a modest apartment above a shoe store, which his family owned and operated. As a child, he and his mother, Frieda, made the courageous journey to West Germany to start a new life in the town of Dusseldorf. At nineteen, Achim came to the United States through a program offered by the National Council of Protestant Episcopal Churches and was taken in by a sponsor family in Palisades Park.

Achim enlisted in the United States Army in 1958, residing at Fort Chafee in Arkansas for a brief period of time before being stationed in Germany. He often spoke proudly of his time in the military and credited that experience to the personal and professional successes he would have later in life. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Achim attended and graduated cum laude from New York University, ultimately serving as a Chief Financial Officer for multiple major corporations, including Emhart and Lexmark International.

Achim met his wife, Pauline, in New York City and the two moved to Norwalk, CT to raise their family. Achim was well-known for his passion for living life to the fullest, his love of laughter, and his talent and dedication to running with local running clubs and friends, completing 45 marathons over his lifetime with a personal best of 2:45:48 (a 6:19 pace for 26.2 miles). He was an avid traveler. Through his work and with his family, he loved to see the world, experience new cultures, dine on local cuisine, and meet new people. The Caribbean and Europe were his favorite destinations.

A celebration of Achim's life will be held on Friday, April 25 at 11:00 am at the Magner Funeral Home 12 Mott Ave. Norwalk, CT. A private burial for family will follow at St. John Cemetery.