With sadness in our hearts, we announce the passing of Lawrence John Knack, who died Sunday, October 20, 2024 at home in Carson City, NV, after a long illness, one week after
his 82nd birthday.
A man of many names, he was affectionately known as Larry, Rick, Cap’t Rick of Windjammer fame, Boats, Chief, Sarge and most importantly Dad & Papa!
Born in Oakland, California on October 14, 1942, Larry was adopted by his parents John and Gretchen Marie Petersen Knack. They brought him home the day after Thanksgiving to Dunsmuir, CA. where he spent his formative years. He attended Dunsmuir High School playing football, his trumpet, camping and fishing in the nearby Sacramento River with his buddies.
Larry left Dunsmuir to join the US Navy at the age of 17, attending Naval Training in San Diego, CA. His navy career took him from navy bases on the west coast to the east coast and back, as well as stationed in Cuba and Puerto Rico. He served on six combat ships from 1960-1974 traveling the world. Injured in Vietnam as part of a River Assault Squadron, he asked for shore duty for the first time in his navy career expecting to return to San Diego but landed at the Fallon Naval Air Station. Needless to say that was a culture shock. After two years in Fallon he retired from the Navy in 1974 and joined the Navy Reserves at Stead earning his final rank of Chief Boatswain Mate.
As luck would have it, in all possible places, Larry met his wife of 50 years, Mary “Lynne” Rica in Fallon, NV. They were married January 27, 1974 at the Cove at Lake Lahontan. Larry and Lynne moved to Carson City in 1975 to start new careers and begin their family. Larry started work at the Nevada Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer and ended his six year career at NDOC as a Correctional Sergeant. During his employment with NDOC, co-workers convinced him to leave the Navy Reserves and join the Nevada Army National Guard as a weekend warrior. In 1982 he re-enlisted in the military full time into the Nevada Army National Guard Headquarters, Carson City. During this time he served as the State Marksmanship Coordinator, State Physical Security Inspector, and educated as an Advanced Intelligence Analyst, among a few. Larry retired from the military as a Master Sergeant in 1988 with 20 years active duty and 28 years total military service, having earned 24 ribbons and 15 medals for his service. Larry was proud of his military service and was ever grateful for those who served and sacrificed for the freedoms and ideals of the United States of America.
After an 8 month hiatus, Larry went to work for the Carson City School District as a school bus driver and ultimately a mechanic retiring on his 60th birthday 2002. Subsequently, he was hired by the Nevada State Department of Taxation in the mailroom as an intermittent employee which lasted for 8 years, retiring in 2010.
Larry’s passions throughout his life included bowling, playing pool, scuba diving, collecting guns, gardening, an avid train enthusiast and traveling. He had a love and incredible memory
for all military history, reciting facts and military strategies at will. He was involved in several community organizations including a lifetime member of the Viet Nam Veterans Association, Chapter 388; the Fleet Reserve Association, Chapter 137; Executive Board Member of the Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum for which he served 9 years as Treasurer and dedicated Volunteer and was a lifetime member of the Nevada State Prison Preservation Society. Last but not least, his passion for football was unwavering. He loved the San Francisco 49er’s and had season tickets for many years to watch the UNR Wolfpack play. At the UNR football game on October 8, 2016, Larry was honored as the Military Hero of the Game, nominated by his fellow veterans.
During Larry’s 49 years in Carson City, he met and maintained a world of friends and acquaintances.. A friend to all, all for friends was his motto. And those friends didn’t disappoint in his final months and days. They came to visit several times in the ensuing
months and some faithfully once a week. Laughing, telling lies, war stories and reminiscing over past adventures with a glass of Jameson in hand. Those bonds will always be remembered and cherished by his wife and family.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents John and Gretchen Knack, his brother John Phillip Knack, sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Bill Kamrath, his in-laws Alfred and Mary Louise Rica and son-in-law Steven David Calcaterra.
Larry is survived by his wife Lynne, their daughter, Carrie Lynne Knack of Carson City, grandchildren Caleigh Anne Carmen Knack & Leighlin Cash Bryant and their daughter, Lesleigh Anne Calcaterra of Carson City, grandsons Cameron & Colton Calcaterra. His daughter Wanda Lee Atherton of Massachusetts, grandsons Stephen & Paul Ervin; daughter Lori Jean Sharrow (Dan) of Maine, grandchildren Eli & Dahlia Sharrow; and daughter Erica
Marie Knack of Napa, CA & grandchildren Sean, Lisa & Tyler Berch. He is also survived by his nephew Richard Kamrath (Lori) of Torrance, CA and niece Lynette Renner (Steve) of Cardiff by the Sea, CA.
The family would like to thank A Plus Hospice for their care and compassion to Larry and our family throughout the past nine months; specifically Bear, Kayla, Jessa, Kelly and Audrey.
Services and internment will be held at Northern Nevada Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Fernley, NV at 2:00 pm on Friday, November 22, 2024. All are invited to a gathering following
the services at the Silver Oak Golf Course, Carson City at 5:00 pm to toast Larry with drinks
and food. In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation to your favorite charity
in his honor.