Adolf Paul Knackstedt

Adolf Paul Knackstedt, 90, of Fayetteville, NC passed away Friday, September 5, 2025. He was the third of four children (Franz, Johann and Christine) born to immigrants Johann Knackstedt and Theresia nee Bauer Knackstedt on October 20, 1934 in the Bronx Borough of New York City. There he was raised until the age of six when the Knackstedt Family returned to Germany to reside at Brandenburg an der Havel during WWII and during the occupation of the Soviets in the East German Occupation Zone until February 1949. He was forced to flee from the Soviet occupied zone to West Berlin. He returned to the United States in February 1954 and moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and shortly thereafter enlisted into the US. Army at the age of 19.

After basic training, he returned to Germany and served in the Military Intelligence at Oberursel and West Berlin. Here he married his wife Vera-Maria Bobzien in 1957, whom he knew from his teenage years while living in this Cold War Outpost City. Following his return to the United States, he was assigned to the 519th Military Intelligence battalion at Fort Bragg, NC. For most of his 30 years of military service he served with the Military Intelligence at: JROC(B) (1954/57 and 1960/64). Berlin, Germany; Saigon, Vietnam (1966/67); As the Joint Interrogation Center Chief, 14th MI Bn, 66th MI Group at Hannover, Germany; G-2, I Corps (1969/70), Uijeongbu (Camp Red Cloud), Korea; 2nd Advisory Team at Chu Lai (1972/73), Vietnam; 163rd Military MI Battalion (1970/72 and 1973/74); Fort Hood, Texas; As First Sergeant of the 1st MI Company, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS; As Sergeant Major, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence and Security, 5th Signal Command, Worms, Germany and retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service, while serving as Battalion Sergeant Major, 1st Psyops Bn, 4th Psyops Group (1982/September 1, 84) at Fort Bragg, NC. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation medal and numerous other U.S. and foreign medals and awards. For an additional eleven years, Adolf Knackstedt served within the Department of the Army as Security Manager/Branch Chief, USAJFKSWCS, USASATMO (1987/98), at Fort Bragg, NC. While performing in this capacity, he was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award; Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, Meritorious Civilian Service Award and numerous Commendation Awards.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and actively involved managing the annual “Oktoberfest Dance” of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Fayetteville, NC for 35 years. He also was a member of the Fayetteville German Club since 1984, and the Berlin United States Military Veterans Association (BUSMVA) since 2006.

As a young boy he became interested in soccer and carried the love of the game all his life as well as traveling to many destinations. However, his biggest love was his wife Vera as well as his two wonderful children, Stephan Knackstedt of Punta Gorda, Florida and Gabriela Krumm of Burleson, Texas. He also always had a huge heart for his family, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years Vera Bobzien Knackstedt, parents, brothers Franz Knackstedt and wife Johanna, Johann Knackstadt and wife Wynelle, and brother-in-law Klaus Knackstedt.

He is survived by his sister, Christine Knackstedt; son, Stephan Knackstedt;  former spouse, Cindy Knackstedt; daughter, Gabriela Krumm and husband Milton Krumm. Grandkids, Kit Krumm his wife Katie, Kandi Krumm, Natalie Knackstedt James her husband Rusty and Charlotte Kramb; Great Grandkids, Joseph Cardone-Krumm (partner Alicia Garcia), Tommy Krumm-Gann, Andres Alvarez, Nicholas Alverez (special friend De'Mia Martin), Sadie Krumm, Stella James and Mason James; Brother-in-law Knut Bobzien, his wife Rosemarie Bobzien and many other friends and relatives that he dearly loved.

A Rosary will be held at Wade Family Funeral Home in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, September 14 5:00pm – 7:00pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Arlington, Texas at 11:00am on Monday, September 15 and Adolf will be interred at Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery with military honors at 1:15pm.

A memorial mass will be held on September 23 at 11:00 at St Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC.

For friends and family who prefer to make a donation rather than sending flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to St. Patrick Catholic School, 2844 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304-3813 in Adolf's memory.