Volker Knees

Volker Herbert Knees passed from this life on May 10, 2016.  Born in Berlin, Germany, August 21, 1940 he was the son of Katie Dora Thies and Erich Karl Knees.  He and his mother immigrated to the USA in 1950.

His youth was spent on Long Island and parts of New York City, NY.  In 1959 he became a Naturalized Citizen; graduated from Far Rockaway High School (where he met his future wife) and joined the US Navy, serving aboard the USS Harwood and the USS Boxer.  On November 4, 1961 he married Patricia (Faulkner) Knees.  While on the Boxer, he was deployed to Guantanamo Bay area during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  After his honorable discharge, he was employed by IBM, Poughkeepsie, NY for 30 years and he and Patricia lived in Hyde Park and Millbrook, NY.  They moved to Inverness, FL in December 1992.  In 1992, he was hired by the Citrus County Property Appraisers Office and worked there for 9 years.

Volker loved the outdoors, forests, camping and hiking.  He climbed 8 peaks in the Adirondack Mountains, sometimes by Snow Shoe in winter.

Besides his family, Volker had three passions:  READING (especially history); CREATIVITY WITH HIS HANDS like building model ships – a hobby that continued all his life.  He built a FOLBOT (precursor to the kayak) which his small family used to navigate many lakes in the Adirondacks.  He built additions to his Millbrook home and until his illness, he helped build the stage sets at the Art Center Theatre; and thirdly, GOLF.  Until his illness, he was doing the Handicaps for Lakeside Country club, Inverness.

Volker was committed to Community Service as a Blood Bank Donor; serving as Treasurer, Secretary and President of his local JAYCEE chapter in Millbrook, NY; painting the Town’s Christmas signs; a serving member and President of the Town of Washington, NY Planning Board for 10 years; being elected twice as one of the Town of Washington’s property appraisers; served as Secretary and President of Celina Hills POA of Citrus Hills, FL; and longtime active member of the Citrus Garden Club.

He was predeceased by his parents, Step-father, Joseph Genovese, step-brother Angelo Genovese ; and sister-in-law Kathleen DeRoma.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; son, Erich Knees and wife, Kelly of Riverview, FL; daughter Adrianne Hollander of Yorktown Heights, NY; grandchildren Carly and Kyle; step-grandson Robert Clay; step-great grandson Kolton Clay; sister-in-law Joanne Decker (Tony Beatty); brother-in-law Donald Faulkner (Sally Spillane); sister-in-law Joan Genovese, all of NY, and several nieces, nephews and cousins in NY, FL and the Netherlands.

We will miss his loyalty, leadership, support, example and counselling on many subjects.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast or your favorite charity.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Unity Church of Citrus County, 2628 Woodview Lane, Lecanto, FL.  Heinz Funeral Home & Cremation, Inverness, FL.