Obituary of David Eugene Knudsen

David Eugene (Dave) Knudsen, 68, of Willits, CA, passed away on Friday, Jan. 15^th, 2021 at the home of longtime friend B. Gail Hillyer in Portland Oregon, after battling cancer for several months.  

David was born in Astoria, Oregon to Gene and Alice Knudsen on April 29, 1952. The family moved to Portland, OR in 1956 where he attended Sellwood Elementary & Cleveland High School.  He also attended Portland Community College and Portland State. He started a career as a small appliance repairman in Portland. He eventually earned his living doing general maintenance repair/handyman work as an independent contractor in the maintenance field. Dave remained in the Portland area until he was 58 when longtime friend Carlin Diamond suggested he come to their place in Willits for a few months to help them with some work on their land. During that time Dave learned of a caretaking job just one mile away at a large conservancy on Shimmins Ridge in northern Willits and was hired without hesitation. He thoroughly enjoyed his position there for nearly 10 years.  Dave loved being a part of the Willits community and making his home there.

David had developed a deep love of music early on and played viola in his school band.  He loved to sing and toured throughout the Pacific Northwest with several choirs over the years including Carlin’s professional touring choir "Novation" originating at Portland State University in 1978. Upon moving to Willits he joined the Emandal Choir, of which he greatly loved and enjoyed. He also worked as a live audio engineer. He was a member of the Willits Grange and was often hired to do sound for musical guests and events there. 

David had a great love of nature and the outdoors and enjoyed bicycling and motorcycle riding on his beloved BMW. He also had a love for old ‘classic’ cars. He loved water and would often find time for a trip to the ocean. He fished as a kid with his dad, kayaked, and rafted wherever he could. He could often be found soaking at a hot springs somewhere. When forced to stay indoors, he loved playing Mexican Train (and most often won). David was an inquiring soul and always sought a higher level of consciousness. He loved people and was a member of several social and spiritual groups over the years including A Course in Miracles in Willits.

David is survived by his siblings Joel Knudsen, Vicki Wallingford, and half-brother Tim Riddle. He was fondly known as ‘Affle Babid’ (Uncle David) to his niece and nephew, Alison and Ryan, who also survive him, as do great-nieces Tatum and Parker.  Additionally, he is survived by his stepdad Roger Rounsevelle, 3 step-brothers, 2 step-nieces, and numerous cousins. He remained on good terms with ex-wife Lori, her children (whom he helped raise), Josh and Katie, as well as her extended family.  He was ‘Grandpa Dave’ to step-granddaughter Kaylyn and enjoyed seeing pics of (Katie’s) new arrival, Hannah.  David was preceded in death by his son Anthony.  He will be greatly missed by his many, many friends and family in both Oregon and California.

The family wishes to extend gratitude to all who kept a steady stream of cards and good wishes coming his way while he was in Portland for treatment of his extended illness.  Also, many thanks to Kathy Rippey for her love for Dave and in helping him make the transition from Willits back to Portland after he became ill.

There will be limited funeral arrangements in Portland but we hope to plan memorials in both Portland and Willits in the near future, COVID willing. Notifications of such plans will be published.