Ronald Edward Knaack entered the world on Sept. 26, 1950, as an eight-pound premature baby. He left this world just as he came into it — prematurely, on March 24, 2020, in Neilton, Washington.
Born to Henry and Helen (Lundgren) Knaack in Puyallup, he graduated from Sumner High School in 1969. He served in the Air Force during Vietnam before graduating from the University of Puget Sound in 1975. He married his high school sweetheart — and love of his life — Tobie Lee Hedberg on September 15, 1972. There was rarely a Valentine’s Day, birthday or Mother’s Day that passed without Ron bring home flowers and candy for his “Tob”.
Ron and Tobie had one son, Ronald, Jr., in September of 1976. September was a busy month in the Knaack family. After many years of travel and different career paths, Ron found himself settled in Amanda Park for the past 15 years. There, he operated Rubie’s Wines, Spirits & Country Emporium, making friends with nearly everyone that frequented the store. He was one of the water commissioners for Neilton, gave to a great many charitable causes, and was active in both his community and through Community of Christ Church — a church that he said he “actually enjoyed going to.”
Known as the T-ball coach everyone loved, he enjoyed the outdoors, loved his dog Kristel, and had an affinity for John Deer tractors. He had a nickname for everyone and a love for anyone — truly, everyone was family in his eyes — though you’d be hard-pressed to find a greater light in his life than his grandchildren, some of whom knew him as “Papa Beans.”
Ron is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Tobie, his son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Jill Knaack of Tacoma, and his adopted children, Chris and Trish Perrigo of Amanda Park. He will be missed dearly by his grandchildren, Ashlyn “Squeezins” and Arianna “Beans” Knaack and Hunter “Bentley” and Isabella “Boo” Perrigo.
He is also survived by his siblings, Caroline (Basil) Gordon of Omak, Henry (Carrie) Knaack of Sumner and Elaine Knaack of Sumner; his godsons, Payton “Bubba” Hedberg of Sumner and Marcus “Spud” Hedberg of San Diego. He leaves behind four nieces and nine nephews, as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. He will also be missed by droves of family, friends, acquaintances and perhaps even a few minor enemies.
A celebration of life will be held once current circumstances pass. If you feel like celebrating Ron’s life now, we encourage you to donate in his memory to Pets for Vets.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on-line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
