Obituary of Russell Eugene Knecht

Russell Eugene Knecht, contractor, master carpenter and woodworker of extraordinary talent, died in Chico on January 23, 2009 at the age of 64. Russ was an unconventional man who followed the golden string of his own nature from childhood until his death. The last child of the late William Arthur Knecht and Pearl Nelson Knecht, he was born in Chico, California on November 28, 1944. He is survived by his oldest sister, Gladys Irene Stirewalt of Esparto; only brother Donald William Knecht of Orland; and youngest sister Dolores Elaine Horrell of Orland. He will be deeply missed by his four daughters, Stephanie Knecht Grafton of Sanford, Maine; Nugget (Sister Anatolia) Knecht of Saint Paisius Monastery, Safford, Arizona; Johanna Wildwood Knecht of Chico and Pamela Knecht of Kentucky. He will be missed by scores of nephew and nieces and two grandchildren, Forrest and Paige Grafton of Sanford, Maine.