RIP Don Knauss

Donald Roger Knauss
September 6, 1929 ~ July 1, 2009

Nate first met Don in 1992 when he went to work for him as a plumber's apprentice. He worked with Don through 1998 when Don retired. Don, being the generous man that he was, sold Don's Plumbing to Nate for an unbelievable price. Throughout the last 11 years Don would occasionally strap on his journeyman belt and come to work for Nate when we were busy and needed the help or if we needed someone to look out for things while we took a vacation. Just a few days before his passing he stopped by the new shop to see how things were going. It sad how we tend to take those around us for granted. We hope Don and his family know just how much he has touched our lives.

The following is his obituary.

Donald Roger Knauss, 79, longtime Moscow resident died Wednesday, July 1, 2009 in Coeur ’d Alene, Idaho, following a heart attack.

Don was born September 6, 1929 in Cooperstown, North Dakota to Harry and Eleanor Knauss. While still very young, his family moved to Anaconda, MT, and later to Spokane, WA where he attended West Valley High School.

He enlisted in the US Navy in 1948, serving as a Petty Officer 2nd Class aboard the USS Valley Forge during the Korean War. Following honorable discharge, he maintained life-long contact with the men of the radio division in which he served; traveling to many parts of the US with his wife, Terry, to attend annual reunions.

After his Navy days, he worked as a plumber in the Pacific Northwest earning his journeyman’s certification and later his plumbing contractor license. He partnered in D&K Plumbing and later founded Don’s Plumbing, both of Moscow. He had many stories of working on the initial construction of the ASUI Kibbie Dome, the College of Natural Resources, Latah County Jail, and many other homes and projects in the region. He was extremely generous with his time and skills and always willing to lend a hand to help those who couldn’t afford the help they needed. He especially gave generously of his time to St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School in Moscow up until recent years. Recently, he told a family member that his life had been pretty darn good, and that he wouldn’t change a lot.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Past Exalted Ruler of the Moscow BPOE (Elks). He was a Moscow Bear Booster and immensely enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moscow.

He had three sons from a first marriage. He loved them dearly and was proud of them for working hard and being successful in their lives. In the early 1970’s, he moved to Moscow where he met a woman who shared his sense of humor and dedication to family and friends. He married Teresa O’Brien Helbling on September 15, 1973. Don always loved a challenge and in marrying Teresa, Don took on five more children to love and help raise. His quiet, hard-working approach gained him the love, respect and admiration of his extended Helbling and O’Brien families. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by Teresa, his loving wife of more than thirty-five years, who still resides in Moscow and by his children, Donald, Jr. and wife Chris of Greenacres, WA and their daughters, Jennifer and Stacie; Ronald and wife Lori of Spokane; and Robert and wife Christy of Lincoln City, OR and their sons, Cameron and Cody; Bob and wife Brenda Helbling of Moscow, and their children Ryan and Nicole; Daniel and wife Gina of Viola and their daughter Katie, Timothy Helbling of Slidell, LA and children, Jocelyne, Bryant, David, and Allicia; Julie and husband Tim Taylor of Onaway, ID and their children Kelsey and Alex; and Jeanne and Dave Poxleitner of Keuterville, ID. Don is also survived his sister, Caroline and husband Pat Michielli of Greenacres, WA, daughter-in-law Carol Helbling of Slidell, LA, and great grandchildren, Caitlin, Austin, and Reagan. He was preceded in death by his parents.