FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| Roland G. Knaak |
| September 15, 1933 - April 11, 2025 |
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Public Events and LocationsViewing - Friday, April 25, 2025, 10:30 to 11:30 AM at Sunset Memorial Park, Huntingdon ValleyMasonic Service - Friday, April 25, 2025, 11:30 AM at Sunset Memorial Park, Huntingdon Valley Funeral Service - Friday, April 25, 2025, 11:40 AM at Sunset Memorial Park, Huntingdon Valley Military Honors - Friday, April 25, 2025, 12:30 PM at Sunset Memorial Park, Huntingdon Valley Entombment - Friday, April 25, 2025, 12:45 PM at Sunset Memorial Park, Huntingdon Valley |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 501 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 - 215-659-0911 - Map |
| Clergy - Tabor Lutheran Church - 4860 North Howard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120 - 215-455-1706 - Map |
| Place - Sunset Memorial Park - 333 West County Line Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 - 215-357-8440 - Map |
| Cemetery - Sunset Memorial Park - 333 West County Line Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 - 215-357-8440 - Map |
| Family Florist - Domenic Graziano Flowers & Gifts - 73 York Road, Warminster, PA 18974 - 215-355-1550 - Map |
| Donation - Shriners Hospitals for Children - 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 - 215-430-4000 - Map |
| Donation - Hermann-Humboldt Lodge Charity Fund C/O Michael Janoski - 42 Willowbrook Drive, Doylestown, PA 18901 - 267-885-9236 - Map |
The following obituary was composed by Roland’s family:
Roland Günther Knaak, born September 15, 1933, in Mühlhausen by Heidelberg, Germany, passed away on April 11, 2025, at 91 years young.
He is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Herlinde, and two brothers, Fred and Theo. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Renate; his daughter Monika (Alex) and son Karl (MaryAnn); his grandchildren Martin (Ashlin), James (Amanda), Peter (Kayla), and Laura (Joe); and great-grandsons Frederick (“Fritzie”) and Austin.
Roland loved his family and friends, his birth country of Germany, and his adopted home in the United States. He proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces, where he earned the distinction of sharpshooter. He was a dedicated member of the German Hermann-Humboldt Masonic Lodge No. 125 F.&A.M., remaining active until his passing, and made lifelong friends among his lodge brothers. He was also a proud Shriner. Roland was also a member of Valley of Philadelphia Consistory and was involved with a number German social organizations during his leisure time including the Vereinigung Erzgebirge, the First German Sports Club Phoenix, Kolping Society, and the Bayerischer Volksfest Verein.
Roland helped build a successful business as former owner of the Industrial Boiler & Chimney Company of Ambler, from which he retired at age 72.
He instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of life, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering dedication to family and friends. Together with Renate, he traveled extensively—to Europe, Hawaii, Aruba, Jamaica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and throughout the United States.
He cherished time at his farm in Tioga County, especially during hunting season. He only missed two years of hunting in the last four decades. He also enjoyed cooking, fixing anything that needed repair, and watching birds and foxes in his backyard.
He will be deeply missed by many, but his legacy of love and strength will live on.
Relatives and friends were invited to his viewing on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 10:30 to 11:30 A.M., Masonic service at 11:30 A.M., and funeral service at 11:40 A.M. followed by military honors rendered by the United States Army and entombment in the chapel of the mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Park, 333 West County Line Road, Feasterville, PA 19053.
Religious services were conducted by Rev. Jane Marston, pastor of Tabor Lutheran Church, 4860 North Howard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120.
Family flowers arranged by Domenic Graziano Flowers & Gifts 215-355-1550.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 or Hermann-Humboldt Lodge Charity Fund, C/O Michael Janoski, 42 Willowbrook Drive, Doylestown, PA 18901.
www.wetzelandson.com
Roland Günther Knaak, born September 15, 1933, in Mühlhausen by Heidelberg, Germany, passed away on April 11, 2025, at 91 years young.
He is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Herlinde, and two brothers, Fred and Theo. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Renate; his daughter Monika (Alex) and son Karl (MaryAnn); his grandchildren Martin (Ashlin), James (Amanda), Peter (Kayla), and Laura (Joe); and great-grandsons Frederick (“Fritzie”) and Austin.
Roland loved his family and friends, his birth country of Germany, and his adopted home in the United States. He proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces, where he earned the distinction of sharpshooter. He was a dedicated member of the German Hermann-Humboldt Masonic Lodge No. 125 F.&A.M., remaining active until his passing, and made lifelong friends among his lodge brothers. He was also a proud Shriner. Roland was also a member of Valley of Philadelphia Consistory and was involved with a number German social organizations during his leisure time including the Vereinigung Erzgebirge, the First German Sports Club Phoenix, Kolping Society, and the Bayerischer Volksfest Verein.
Roland helped build a successful business as former owner of the Industrial Boiler & Chimney Company of Ambler, from which he retired at age 72.
He instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of life, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering dedication to family and friends. Together with Renate, he traveled extensively—to Europe, Hawaii, Aruba, Jamaica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and throughout the United States.
He cherished time at his farm in Tioga County, especially during hunting season. He only missed two years of hunting in the last four decades. He also enjoyed cooking, fixing anything that needed repair, and watching birds and foxes in his backyard.
He will be deeply missed by many, but his legacy of love and strength will live on.
Relatives and friends were invited to his viewing on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 10:30 to 11:30 A.M., Masonic service at 11:30 A.M., and funeral service at 11:40 A.M. followed by military honors rendered by the United States Army and entombment in the chapel of the mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Park, 333 West County Line Road, Feasterville, PA 19053.
Religious services were conducted by Rev. Jane Marston, pastor of Tabor Lutheran Church, 4860 North Howard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120.
Family flowers arranged by Domenic Graziano Flowers & Gifts 215-355-1550.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 or Hermann-Humboldt Lodge Charity Fund, C/O Michael Janoski, 42 Willowbrook Drive, Doylestown, PA 18901.
www.wetzelandson.com
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