Obituary of Richard Dean Kniep

Richard Dean Kniep passed away January 11, 2024, in Olympia, Washington.  He was born July 4, 1964, to Hans Joachim Kniep and Silvia Hoppin in Fort Chaffes, Arkansas.  He attended school in the North Thurston District and graduated from Timberline high and went to BCTI for Computer Technology and graduated.

 

Richard joined the Army National Guard in 1987, serving as an infantryman in Georgia and Washington State. He also worked 10 years for Pabst Brewing Company as a product control coordinator.

 

Richard had a good heart and always looked to help those who were forgotten. He rooted for the underdog and would always have someone’s back if they were being treated unfairly.  Besides his good heart, he will be remembered for being funny and witty and always cutting the sleeves off his shirts and wearing blue jeans.

 

Richard loved spending time with family and collecting family pictures. He also loved playing basketball with his stepdad, James, and his son, Jacob, and was a huge Seahawks fan.  He loved the outdoors, biking, and going to Pioneer Park to jump in the river. He had a dream to someday climb Mt. Rainier and Mt. Everest. It seemed he always had a project going, unable to finish them all.

 

Listening to music was one of Richard’s favorite pastimes, his favorites being Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Sabbath, Chris Cornell, David Bowie, Amos Lee, Pearl Jam, and Matchbox Twenty. He loved movies like “A River Runs Through It” and “ There Will Be Blood.”  He was a very good cook and will be remembered for his steaks, BBQ, and French toast.

 

He is survived by his son, Jacob Kniep; daughter, Brittney Kniep; stepdaughter, Ashlei Kniep; six grandchildren; parents, Silvia and James Roberson; brother, JJ Roberson; and sister, Susan Kniep Albritten. He was predeceased by his father, Hans Kniep.

 

Jacob remembers his last words to his father, “I will talk to you next week. I love you, Dad.”  Brittney’s words to her Dad, “I hope when you make it to heaven, your father is there waiting to play basketball with you.  I know I’ll always remember the days we would play.  You are loved and will forever be missed, Dad.  Your grand babies will always know who you are and your name will live on.  I know we will meet again.  I love you, Dad.”

 

There will be a memorial service on March 16, 2024, 2:30 p.m. at Tumwater Baptist Church, 405 X Street SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.

 

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