Alfred John Knapik

Born December 5, 1930 in Amsterdam, NY, Al Knapik, of Happy Valley, passed quietly on August 25th 2010, at Mercy Medical Center.
From 1948 until 1968, Al was a proud member of the United States Air Force. His first overseas assignment, at age 18, was the Berlin Airlift.
In the 1960's, he was a flight engineer on the C-133, the world's largest airplane at the time. The crew's primary mission, out of Travis AFB, California, was to deliver intercontinental ballistic missiles to their silos. His crew shuttled Atlas, Titans and Minute Man missiles to various secret places all over the country. They also flew between Travis and Viet Nam, delivering equipment such as tanks and helicopters.
In between, he was based in Utah, New York, Guam and Okinawa. He retired, bearing the rank of Master Sergeant and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service as a flight engineer instructor. Flying was Al's life and the Air Force his extended family.
Al continued his love of aviation and became an expert in every field. He held FAA ratings as aircraft engine mechanic and inspector in addition to single and multi-engine pilot licenses with commercial, instrument and instructor's ratings.
He opened his own business, Al-Aero, at the Redding Airport, where he repaired and inspected aircraft. Later, he became part owner of the fixed-base operation known as BEVA Aero. As head of aircraft maintenance, he was also a charter pilot and flight instructor.
As if that weren't enough, he was a search and rescue pilot for the Civil Air Patrol and a member of the Shasta Co. Sheriff's Flying Posse.
The Record Searchlight did several articles about Al and his expertise in the field of flying. In 1978, a full page was devoted to "Al Knapik: One of the elite fly-boys."
During the 1970s and 1980s he was a corporate pilot for several construction companies. Because of his reputation for excellence, he was dubbed "Sky King". With one final student, youngest son, Andy, soloing (at age 16) and earning his pilots license, Al hung up his wings.
But his brain never stopped forging ahead. He enrolled at Shasta College to study computers. In no time, he had his own business, P. C. Specialist. Tools were his friends and computers a challenge. Al could repair anything from an earring to an airplane. The only thing that he couldn't fix, was himself. Al suffered from Alzheimer's Disease and was hospitalized after a fall. He will be missed by many.
Al is survived by his wife, Diane, of nearly 43 years, his sons Robert and wife Allenya, of Elk Grove, Ronald and wife Wanda of Peoria, AZ, Andy and wife Brenda of Tucson, AZ and son Richard Knapik of Valliant, OK.. His only daughter, Carolyn Knapik Bangerter and husband, Jeff are from Orangevale. He also left behind 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held on Friday, October 1st at 11:30 a.m. at the Veteran's Cemetery in Igo. The Patriot Guard will lead a procession from Allen and Dahl in Anderson, beginning at 10:30. A reception will follow at the Knapik home in Happy Valley.