NC/RC (NWA) Capt. Richard Lloyd Knisely

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NC/RC (NWA) Capt. Richard Lloyd Knisely

April 29, 1925 ~ May 20, 2020 

As noted in the August issue of ALPA's The Air Line Pilot magazine ….the passing of retired Colonial/Capital/North Central/Republic Airlines (NWA) pilot Captain Richard Lloyd Knisely, age 95.

Obituary information for Captain Knisely is available online at

https://m.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000357186/?fullname=richard-lloyd-knisely

Captain Knisely had most recently resided at

23576 Jet Ave.,  Silver Lake, MN 55381

Obituary below notes that memorial services will be held at a later date.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN  

 

Obituary………….. Richard Lloyd Knisely 

Knisely, Richard Lloyd of Silver Lake, MN. Died on May 20, 2020 at the age of 95. Richard "Dick" was born in Aitkin, Minnesota on April 29, 1925 to Howard and Mabel Knisely. At the age of 1, he and his parents moved to Eberly's Mill PA to be with his Grandparents. At the age of 15, his father's job took them to Dundalk Maryland where he became good friends with John "Nick" Schultz. A few years later in life Dick and Nick would marry sisters and continue their friendship as brothers-in-law. In 1943 Dick joined the Army Air Force where he was introduced to his greatest passion......flying! He went on to a long and distinguished career as an airline Pilot, flying for Colonial, Capital, North Central and finally retiring as a Captain with Republic Airlines in 1984. During his time working for Colonial Airlines, he met a North Dakota girl named Harriet Ann Skovgaard who was working as a Ticket Agent for Capital Airlines. He fell in love with her and as she was able to get transferred to Minneapolis, which was closer to her family, Dick was able to get a job with Capital Airlines also, and followed her there. They would marry on March 17, 1951 and would call Minnesota their home for the rest of their lives. They had four children, Jackie, Terry, Valerie, and Karl. Dick and Harriet loved the country life and would eventually move to "farm life" and enjoyed having horses, cattle, chickens, along with raising dogs and cats. Dick's favorite was his Belgian Draft Horses especially Bell, Lady and Jake. He continued his passion for flying after his retirement by purchasing an airplane he always enjoyed flying as a Cadet with the AAF, a North American AT-6. He would stay active in aviation as an instructor, teaching formation flying and instrument flying until he was 85 years old! Dick was also an avid student of the Bible and in 1956 was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was very active and served as an Elder in the Hutchinson congregation. That is where, after the death of his wife Harriet, he met Barb Fisher, who he would marry. They were together for seven years. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be dearly missed. Dick is preceded in death by: Parents Howard and Mabel Knisely, Wife Harriet Knisely, Daughter Jacqueline Pen'nia, Grandson Jesse Ciaccio, Grandson Emery Villa, and second wife Barb Knisely. He is survived by: Daughter Terry (Tim) Ciaccio, Daughter Valerie Knisely, and Son Karl (Tanya) Knisely. Grandchildren: Jordan Ciaccio, Kristine Ciaccio, Logan Knisely, Skuyler Knisely, Hudson Knisely, Cooper Knisely and Ezra Knisely.

Memorial arrangements to be posted at a later date.