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BORN
1938
DIED
2015
Jon Knickerbocker Obituary
1938-2015
Strolling on The Strand, snorkeling in Kauai, finding sand dollars in Seaside, Oregon, Jon Knickerbocker loved the beach and the ocean. This love was surpassed only by his deep devotion and closeness to his family. On May 16, 2015, in full view of the ocean and surrounded by loving family members, Jon peacefully passed on in his home in Hermosa Beach. Jon was a loving and committed husband and father. He was passionate about spending time with his family and friends.
Jon was born in Seaside, Oregon on September 24, 1938. He moved to Palos Verdes where he attended Malaga Cove Intermediate School and Redondo Union High School. He attended University of Oregon and California State University Long Beach, where he met his wife and best friend, Jan. Both were English majors in graduate school.
Jon and Jan married in 1961. Throughout their 53 years of marriage, they were consistently by each other's sides. A special highlight each day was watching the sunset and hoping to catch a glimpse of the illusive "green flash."
Jon worked part-time at the Daily Breeze during high school and college. He taught English and yearbook at Redondo Union High School and then moved to the PVPUSD where he worked for 35 years. He was a teacher, counselor, and assistant principal at Rolling Hills High School. His employment at the school district culminated when he was Deputy Superintendent of Schools; he retired in 1998.
Honored for his lifelong commitment to education, Jon was named Administrator of the Year in PVPUSD and during the Redondo High School Centennial Celebration in 2005 was included as one of the one hundred outstanding graduates.
Preceded in death by his parents, Dane and Katherine Knickerbocker, and sister, Linda, Jon is survived by his wife Jan; daughter, Tracey Carr and her children, Tennaya and Cadyn; daughter & son-in-law, Kerri and Glenn Griffee and their children, Shane and Kevin; sister & brother-in-law Janice & Kevin Steinkraus; niece Jamie, her husband Chris, their daughter Maddie; nephew Jim; and numerous cousins.
In lieu of a memorial service, the family will honor Jon's life with a celebration at the family home in Hermosa Beach in late summer. Those wishing to honor Jon are requested to donate to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jon Knickerbocker
Sponsored by Daily Breeze.
Sol Rockenmacher
May 15, 2025
He was a really nice person and a great journalist, with a great smile. We attended California Boy´s State together.
Sol Rockenmacher
May 15, 2020
l remember our experience, with classmate Pete Hacsi, at California Boys State in Sacramento in the summer of 1956.
Jerry Gaines
May 15, 2020
Jon was my mentor throughout my educational career. He was most supportive and demonstrated respect from all who had the privilege to engage with him. Rest in peace.
May 15, 2019
Jon was unique and well respected as a leader in education. It was a pleasure to work and know Jon, and his legacy.will continue with all who knew him for his many contributions to education and the community.
Cathy Jackson Todd
August 7, 2015
Jon was my sophomore English teacher at Redondo in (I believe) his very first year back as a faculty member. He was kind, funny, helpful and an all-around nice guy. My deepest condolences to his family.
July 10, 2015
Dear Jan: Jon was my English Teacher and my father hired him at RUHS I am Charles Sutphens daughter Lou Ann Abel. My heart goes out to you and your family. What a great man and Educator Jon was. GOD BLESS LA ABEL Montana
June 30, 2015
To the family of Mr.Knickerbocker. May your family find strength and comfort knowing that God can help you through this most difficult time. 2 Cornithians 1:3.
June 15, 2015
Jan, I am so sorry for your loss. Jon was a really exceptional man whom I enjoyed knowing and working with (tiles for the Distinguished Schools and teacher plaques). He was always upbeat and pleasant and encouraging. I know that you have many wonderful memories of him and your family and your happy sailing times together. You were such a great couple!
Bobbie Pomeranz
PTA Pres. (1988-1989)
Kenny Ryerson
June 2, 2015
Jan and family, The Ryerson family sends our condolences. Your in our thoughts and prayers. Jerry & Gary (RHHS '66), Kenny (RHHS '68)
Pat Akins
May 31, 2015
Dear Jan,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Frank always had great respect for Jon as a colleague and friend.
You Jan, will always be special to our family as principal of Rancho Vista when Tim was there.
May you find comfort in remembering the many wonderful years you had with Jon.
Nancy Kacirek Feldman
May 28, 2015
To the family of Jon Knickerbocker I send my deepest sympathy. I graduated from Rolling Hills HS in 1967, and was always impressed by Mr. Knickerbocker's compassion, integrity, and good will. I found him to be a "saving grace" counselor and he always provided me with good, solid advice. I was lucky enough to have Mrs. Knickerbocker for English and I not only learned a lot in her classroom, but enjoyed the experience as well. In this dark time, may your memories provide you with light. Go well. Nancy Kacirek Feldman
CJ
May 26, 2015
May the true God bring comfort to your heart and soothe your pain I am sorry for your loss (Psalm 146:5)
Sol Rockenmacher
May 26, 2015
I remember Jon as a bright, warm and supportive person. He, Pete Hasci and myself were at Boys' State together at the fairgrounds in Sacramento in the summer of 1955. I regret that I did not stay in touch with him throughout the post-RUHS years. Jon was a great guy.
May 24, 2015
Jan, Tracey and Kerri. What a great guy and cousin that we lost this past week. I have so many memories of all of you, in Seaside, in Hermosa, and of course in the desert. And remember Easter in Minnesota at the Timberwolves game? Although we didn't see much of Jon in recent years, it was always a treat to see him (and all of you). He was a terrific conversationalist and always had lots of questions to ask, good stories to tell, and a twinkle in his eye. Jeanie and Gary asked that we send their regards as well. We all just made a contribution in his memory to Alzheimers, and will hope that a cure is found someday soon. BTW -- I did need not need help from the link below asking for help with the right words!! Not for Jon!
Love,
Bill, Betsy, Jeanie, Gary
Jenny, Annie, and Mike.
M Allison (Isaiah 25:8)
May 23, 2015
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
May 22, 2015
Dear Jan and Family,
So sorry to hear of Jon's passing. He was one of the finest of gentleman I have ever known! Always a strong educational leader and ever an asset to the Palos Verdes USD. He will be remembered and missed by all. Our heartfelt condolences.
With love,
Jo Topps and Carl Lane
May 22, 2015
Sorry to learn another RUHS classmate (1956) has left us. We remember him with fondness . . . Jim and Diana (Medlicott) Piper
Joan Kraus
May 21, 2015
Dear Jan,
I was sorry to see Jon's obituary in the Breeze today. He was a real asset to the PVPUSD. For that matter, so were you! We are all better for having known you two. My condolences.
Joan Kraus (Ridgecrest Intermediate School, retired)
May 21, 2015
Dear Jan and family,
I was so saddened to hear the news of Jon's passing. From the experience of being in his Yearbook and English classes to babysitting for your girls, I have such fond memories of all of you. He was a wonderful man who will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Sherrill (Selleck) Truax (RHHS CLasss of 1967).
Ginny Shoji
May 21, 2015
Dear Jan,
We were so sorry to learn of your loss of Jon. What a great guy. We'll miss him. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Ginny and Kent
May 21, 2015
A long time neighbor and colleague, as a new teacher at RUHS I heard wonderful stories about Jon's early journalism experience as editor of Redondo's High Tide. Years later I had the pleasure of working with both Jan and Jon as administrators in PVUSD....where we learned we were actually neighbors! I will miss his friendship and goodwill.
Harvey Crow
May 21, 2015
Heartfelt condolences to the Knickerbocker family. Jon was an innovative educator and a good man and I had the pleasure to work with him many years. He will be missed !!!
Henry Burke
May 21, 2015
Jon Knickerbocker's obituary mentioned he was a part time reporter
for the Daily Breeze hired by myself in the sports department following
his graduation from Redondo High. That experience made us lifetime
friends. I followed his entire career and know how much his family meant to him and how much he meant to his family.
May 21, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort grant you peace as well (Jeremiah 29:11,12)
Arba Ayakatubby
May 20, 2015
To the Knickerbocker family my heart is sad. I have many memories of Jon when we first got together at RUHS as little freshman we were both about 5'2" most of the girls were our size or taller. Then there ere all the over-the -line games then came the Dodgers the very first game in the LA Coliseum and one of our teachers as Seniors would call the class to attention by yelling Ayakatubby-Knickenbocker-Rockenmacher. Memories I will always cherish and remember. My prayers are with you all in this time of sorrow.
Jerry Gaines
May 20, 2015
Jon will be missed. His passion for education in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District was special. Leadership skills Jon had earned him high respect among those who worked with him. It has been an honor to work with Jon during my career with the district. Condolences to his family.
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