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Perry Kneisel Obituary
Perry Joseph Kneisel, 68, of Redondo Beach, passed away Monday, November 24, 2014, after a six year battle with lymphoma. He was born to the late Joseph and Penny Kneisel on May 3, 1946, in Glendale, California. After graduating from San Jose State in 1968, he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from August, 1968, until his Honorable discharge in March, 1970. Upon returning home, he earned his MA at California State University Long Beach and taught in the Palos Verdes Unified School District for a number years. In the 1980's, he worked as a Materiel Manager for Hughes-Raytheon until his retirement in 2005. Perry is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Liane; son, Pj; daughter, Melissa Cummins; sister, Jodie Mabery; and numerous family and friends who all loved him very much. He was predeceased by his son, Christopher Cummins.
A memorial will be held on December 5, 10am, at American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, are welcome. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze .com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Perry Kneisel
Sponsored by MHS alums.
Bob
November 24, 2023
Miss you, Mr. K -- but after all these years, a part of you is still with me. Thanks for everything!
Bob
November 24, 2022
It´s been nearly 50 years since my first MHS class with Mr. Kneisel, but I still think of him often and fondly. I remember him as a fountain of wisdom, kindness and exuberant joy. Miss you, Mr. K!
Bob Mills
November 24, 2020
Missing you, Mr. K, but treasuring the happy memories and wisdom you shared with us at MHS. -Bob Mills (‘76)
July 27, 2015
Dear Tracy,
Thank you so much for your donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and, especially, for taking the time to write this message. It has been over eight months since Perry passed, and not a day goes by that I don't miss him terribly. I am doing my best to get on with my life (as Perry would have wanted), but I feel as if only half of me is here. I feel fortunate to have had 35 years with my soul mate and best friend, but we were hoping to live well into our old age together. I was saddened to hear of your mother's passing as well. Mae was a very special lady to all of us who knew her at Miraleste. Her upbeat attitude and infectious laugh will never be forgotten. Those of us left behind are left with precious memories we will never forget. Sending hugs back to you as well.
Liane
Marcia
June 21, 2015
Perry was a student teacher in Mr. Roy's government class at Redondo High in 1971. He would usually sit next to me in class and I got to know him a little bit. He had a beard with longish, wavy dark hair; I had a teenager's crush on him. We shared the same birthday except he was 7 years older than me. He told the class of his time in Vietnam. It was very interesting to see him and Mr. Roy discuss their very different views of politics and life in general. Perry treated me as an equal and was such a kind person. He had the greatest, most sincere and warm smile. One time he told me his sister had just given birth, by Caesarean, to I believe was her fifth child. He joked that her stomach looked like the doctor was playing tic-tac-toe on it. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Daniel Brienen
February 24, 2015
Perry was such an awesome teacher. His humor kept me interested and he had a great smile.
Liane Kneisel
December 31, 2014
Perry would have been so very happy to see that he was remembered so fondly as a teacher. He often told me that those were the happiest days of his working life. He was a born teacher who loved his students and his subject matter. I will always remember those days as well, as they were the beginning of our 35 year love affair. Mr. Kneisel and Mrs. Cummins were an "item" on the Miraleste campus. I have lost the love of my life. Thank you, MHS alums, for sponsoring his Guest Book.
Bob Mills
December 29, 2014
Perry Kneisel was my favorite MHS teacher, and the sad news of his passing has really hit me. I hadn't seen him since the '70s, but he's one of those extraordinary people whose presence never leaves you. For me, he'll always be the bright, engaged and engaging twenty-something teacher who treated my teenaged self with uncommon kindness and respect, and who made learning a joy. Thanks for everything, PK!
Bill Beigel
December 29, 2014
Mr. Kneisel was, by far, the best teacher I had in High School. He is was my Western Civ teacher for the first semester of sophomore year, and then my Business Law teacher as a senior.
Rest in Peace, Perry
Bill Beigel, Miraleste HS '76
December 29, 2014
I had Mr. Kneisel for the first semester of Western Civ in 10th Grade, and then for Business Law as a senior. He was the best teacher I had, by far, from High School.
Rest in Peace, Perry
-Bill Beigel, Miraleste HS '76
Charlotte Whall/ ziegler
December 6, 2014
Thank you for putting up with me in 5th period typing at
Miraleste high school in 1972. You were the most kind teacher ever and very patient. God bless
December 6, 2014
I will miss seeing Perry walk with Zoe! I appreciated his welcoming me to the neighborhood. Julie
December 6, 2014
PJ,
The Eulogy you so eloquently delivered at your father's funeral was perfect in every way. It was so heartfelt and true! But above and beyond the strenth of your differing convictions, the yelling from room to room, and your heated debates, was the unconditional love between you two. Yes, Perry was the best hugger ever... the giver of comfort and security. Perry was the enveloper. He would draw you into his lair with way too generous martinis, his willingness to listen and help solve problems. He would pile everyone onto his bed (including zoey), so he could share his favorite tv show. He had brilliant insights. As you said, PJ, the ability to carry on the Kneisel warmth and spirit is in your heart and in your genes. We will miss Perry's presence every day, but you've got everything it takes to his move his essence forward from here.
Much love to the Kneisel Family, Greta
Janice (Forsberg) Allen (Class of '78)
December 3, 2014
There were so many wonderful teachers at Miraleste High School, but I don't know anyone that didn't want to be in Mr. Kneisel's class. He was inspiring, funny, and very creative. So sorry for your loss.
Cynthia Stein Ruff
December 3, 2014
Mr Kneisel was an aspiring teacher. He will be missed. I am so sorry for you loss.
Kathy Gaither
December 3, 2014
Condolences to Mr. Kneisel's family. I have never forgotten him as one of my teachers from Miraleste High School. He was an awesome and caring teacher.
Cynthia Howard
December 3, 2014
Condolences to the entire family. He was a great teacher and a great man too.
Susan Henriksen Frantz
December 3, 2014
When I think of my high school years at Miraleste, I always think of Mr Kneisel's history class and how he always tried to make it fun for us. Not an easy task. Always happy and smiling! Prayers to your family and friends at this difficult time.
Jill Mattox Taraz
December 3, 2014
My heartfelt condolences to the family. I remember Mr. Kneisel as a wonderful teacher back when I was at Miraleste, and I was so sorry to hear of his passing. I have very fond memories of him.
Tracy Landauer
December 3, 2014
What a marvelous, memorable teacher Perry was. He had unique ways of getting everyone's attention :) such as jumping onto a student's desk, or imitating Steve Martin's "King Tut" sketch from Saturday Night Live, but since those memories are from 30+ years ago, clearly he succeeded in making history come alive. I always remembered him fondly. So very sorry for your loss.
Michelle
December 1, 2014
I ran across this familiar name from years ago when I worked at Hughes Aircraft. I remember Perry and the first thought was he was such a nice guy. Isn't this how we all would like to be remembered?
Barbara Tydings
December 1, 2014
What a beautiful tribute to a lovely man. I've heard so many wonderful stories from old friends; I wish I had been able to know you more personally over the years. The evening we all, Liane, Paul and I spent together was so fun and I got to hug a most warm and sweet man. Perry I hardly knew ye but I saw your soul that night. You left a huge mark on this world, a true warrior who will be terribly missed.
Connie Corley
December 1, 2014
Sending love and healing energy to the family
Pj Kneisel
November 30, 2014
I will forever miss my father Perry Kneisel. He was the strongest and most family-focused man in the world.
I love you daddy.
-Pj-
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