Obituary

John Henry Knauf 79

John H. Knauf, 79, of Monarch Beach, CA, long time resident of La Canada, CA, died Monday, July 17, 2006 in his home after a brief illness. Born in Winona, MN, May 24, 1927, the son of Val E. and Mae Knauf. Upon graduation from Loyola High School, Los Angeles, CA, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served honorably on the destroyer, U.S.S. Purdy, during the post-WWII occupation of Japan. Upon his discharge, Mr. Knauf attended college at Loyola University in Los Angeles, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Business. While attending college, he married Dorothy A. Schmidt on June 11th, 1949. Before graduation, Mr. Knauf was employed as a Group Sales Representative for Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, managing offices in St. Louis, MO, and New Orleans, LA. He returned to Glendale, CA, where he co-founded Knauf Insurance Agency with his brother, Ted Knauf.

In 1960, Mr. Knauf was stricken with post-polio syndrome. He was thereafter permanently confined to a wheelchair, a challenge he met and accepted with marked grace and courage.

In 1970, Mr. Knauf founded Personnel Benefit Systems, an independent insurance brokerage specializing in-group employee benefits. Among his roster of clients were the City of Glendale and Zero-Halliburton Company. He served on a number of professional advisory panels and was a founding member of the Los Angeles Employee Benefit Planning Association. He was also very active in his church, St. Bede the Venerable, as well as his community, serving as president of the Glendale Serra Club 1975 – 1976, the Glendale Lions Club 1977 – 1978, and a number of civic boards and the Glendale Community Development Advisory Council. Subsequent to his retirement in 1990, Mr. Knauf and his wife moved to the seaside community of Monarch Beach, CA, where he continued to be active as a volunteer with his parish, St Edwards, in Dana Point, CA, founding the First Friday Friars Club. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed opera, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Dorothy Knauf; loving daughter, Kathleen Lieber; beloved sons, John H. Knauf, Jr., Paul E. Knauf and Daniel Knauf; beloved brother, Theodore ?Ted? Knauf; beloved sister, Kay Knauf, and eleven grandchildren.

A Vigil is to be held on Monday, July 24th, 2006 at 7:30 P.M., O’Connor Laguna Hills Mortuary – Chapel, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 at 10:00 A.M., St. Edward’ s Catholic Church, 33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point, CA 92629. A reception will follow the service in the church hall.

An Interment will be held on Wednesday, July 26th at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, 11160 Strandwood Avenue, Mission Hills, CA 91345-1120, 626 793-7159