Ronald Sigwell Knudsen Sr.

A principled man of strength and kindness, who looked out for those who were less fortunate, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 31, 2022. Ron was born in Spokane, Washington to Sigwell and Thelma (Nickerson) Knudsen and was raised at Liberty Lake, Washington. He was the second of three children, and his family was of great importance to him.

His stories growing up at Liberty Lake are family treasures. Playing neighborhood games of kick-the-can then enjoying the bounty of the pregame set crawdad trap. His tales--like a Norman Rockwell painting--were told with humor, respect and sometimes a twinkle of mischievousness.

He met the love of his life, Linda (Poulin) on the shores of Liberty Lake. Linda’s father was surprised by his daughter’s willingness to gas up the boat at Sig’s, the Knudsen-owned resort. Ron, one of the lake’s most skilled skiers at the time, began having balance issues but only near the Poulin Cabin, where he would often fall. The two married while attending Washington State University.

After graduating from WSU Ron took a teaching position with the Central Valley School District. It was a welcome back home as Ron had spent his youth attending, playing sports for, and holding student offices in schools in the district.

On January 25, 2013, Ron was inducted into the CVHS Wall of Fame. He was honored for his athleticism and leadership in the sports of football, basketball, baseball, and track, as well as his coaching career that spanned three decades mentoring students in several athletic disciplines. He was most known for coaching basketball. Ron was the head coach from 1971 to 1978 compiling a 103-69 record. Upon stepping down from that position he was recognized by rival coaches for fielding highly competitive teams and how he could get his players up for big games. Before and after Ron’s tenure as head coach he assisted with the school’s basketball programs. He loved to scout games and break down the team’s future opposition methods of play. His technical knowledge of the game was appreciated by the coaches of both the boys’ and girls’ programs and contributed to their success.

After retiring from Central Valley, he had more time to devote to his hobbies and recreational pursuits including hunting and mule riding. He enjoyed doing these activities with family and friends. When Ron pursued an interest-- he was all in. This meant organizing and riding from Mexico to Canada raising money and awareness for cancer. He was the only rider with mules and the only rider who rode the entire way finishing with the same two animals. Ron volunteered for land search and rescue operations. He led weeks long expeditions into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Giving time to various organizations like the Back County Horsemen he cleared trails, chopped natural watering troughs out of fallen trees, dug holes, and built outhouses in the back country. It was rare that one of his pursuits did not provide an “edge of your seat story,” with adventure, risk and of course humor.

Ron was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara (Stradley) and his parents, Sig and Thelma. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Linda. Daughter Kelli and her husband Ross Schneidmiller and their daughters and their families, Jasmine and Taylor Hall, Cora, Ellis; Jordana and Steve Rees; Janae and Alex Sankey, Grayson, Miller, Piper. Son Ron Jr and his wife Jolene and their children Austyn and Sydney, Aubrianne, Alex. Son Jack and his wife Kari and their daughters Jaida, Kya. Son Eric and his daughter Ava. Ron’s brother, Clif and his wife Diane, as well as numerous nieces and nephews!

Donations may be made to Hospice of Spokane or to Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate “Papa Ron’s Gone to Heaven Party” at Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene on Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:00 am.

For those who would join us online, it will be livestreamed on the svnc.org homepage via the facebook feed.