Fred always said he lived all over the place and he was right. He was born in Friendswood, Texas, to Fred Knaak, Sr. and Thelma (Hubbard) Knaak on February 18, 1929. Fred spent much of his childhood in the Children's Hospital in Galveston, Texas, due to a bone disease. The family (mom, dad, Fred, brother Art, and sister Phyllis) moved to Appleton, Colorado, when Fred was 14. Fred graduated with a class of seven (he was the only male) from Appleton High School in 1945, or it should be said he got his diploma because faculty got upset at Fred riding a motorcycle he had built (without the muffler) down the school hallway and wouldn't let him attend the actual graduation.

Fred couldn't decide his mission in life so he attended a junior college in Grand Junction, Colorado. His first job was driving a "big" truck delivering the Denver Post from Denver to Grand Junction. In 1952 Fred, on a bet, moved to Los Angeles, CA. There were several occupations until Fred found his niche in mortgage banking. Fred ultimately received his MBA from the University of Chicago. While working in Los Angeles, Fred was offered an opportunity to help start a mortgage banking company in San Diego, and although the change was difficult, he accepted. He and his four children moved from San Marino, CA to San Diego, CA. The company became a success, and Fred continued his career when Merrill Lynch Mortgage bought the small company. Fred always said the bathrooms looked the same at Merrill Lynch headquarters, 44 Wall, New York, NY as they did in San Diego, CA.

During his leisure time Fred obtained a private pilot's license and helped build several building add-ons, remodels, and new structures. He helped build dune buggies, motorcycles, and car engines (there always seemed to be a car part on the dining room table). He loved to go camping, deep-sea fishing and traveling. Most of all he loved his children….his own, and all the kids in the neighborhood.

Fred wasn't sure about coming to Vici, OK, but he quickly found friends. Poor health caused him to curtail his activities, but he enjoyed Everett's Farm as much as he had enjoyed anyplace he had lived or traveled. Fred made the decision to enter Vici Nursing Home in 2009. Once again he was among the kids in the neighborhood. Fred's next home was ready on November 26, 2011.

Fred is survived by Linda Knaak, his wife of 33 years, Vici, OK; her daughter, Leslie and husband Brian of Oakland, CA, and his four children, Denise and husband Tom of Kingman, AZ, Cheryl Hendershott of San Diego, CA, Wm "Bill" Knaak, III and wife Belinda of San Diego, CA, and Lynette and husband Gary of Durant, OK; 13 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Art and wife Toby of Grand Junction, CO, and many friends from coast to coast.