Gerhardt "Gerry" E. Knop

Surrounded by his loving family, Gerhardt E. Knop, age 88, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at his residence. Gerhardt was born in Racine, September 7, 1927, son of the late August and Anna (Nee: Mueller) Knop.

Gerry was a graduate of William Horlick High School “Class of 1945”. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1945-1948. After service schools he spent 30 months on board the USS Vermillion operating in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and South American waters.

Upon discharge he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1952. While at college, he met Bonne Lettsome. They were married June 20, 1953. Bonne and Gerry lived in Racine all of his life.

Gerhardt worked in the building construction industry, spending thirty-five years with Camosy Inc. of Kenosha. He retired in 1992 after attaining the position of Vice-President of Operations.

Gerhardt was a member of the Racine Yacht Club since 1952 and served as Commodore in 1963. During those years he spent many summers racing and cruising the Great Lakes aboard his yacht named “Über Alles”, among others.

The winters were fulfilled with downhill skiing in the U.P. and in Colorado and Utah where the entire family and friends enjoyed many years of fun.

When the water froze to ice, he pursued the sport of Ice Boating on the many lakes in Wisconsin with close friends and family. Perhaps the biggest thrill of all was going through the ice under full sail on Lake Geneva with his friends, and surfacing under the ice.

Gerry also found time to learn to be a pilot, own an airplane and attain an instrument rating. This enabled him to fly cross country to many parts of the United States. Whatever time was left was spent flying with friends and family in Florida and the Bahamas.

Survivors include his wife, Bonne; his two children, Theresa (Jim) Halkowitz, Todd (Sybil) Knop, all of Racine; his grandchildren, Abby and Anna Knop, Matthew Halkowitz; great-granddaughter, Maliah Halkowitz; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many close friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Charlotte (Clifford) Haas.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, November 16, 2015, 11:30 A.M. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the funeral home from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:30 A.M. Memorials to the Racine Zoological Society have been suggested.

A special thank you to his granddaughter, Anna Knop, for all her loving care and dedication.