Leo John Knowicki, 56, of Idyllwild, died peacefully in his sleep Friday, Aug. 23, 2002.

Born April 30, 1946 near Buffalo, N.Y., Mr. Knowicki spent his early years in various orphanages and foster homes.

He joined the Navy at age 18, spent a tour in Vietnam and received an honorable discharge.

Mr. Knowicki’s colorful and diverse career included managing different big-name rock bands touring Europe. His many talents included musician, singer, songwriter, actor, set designer, comedian and construction worker. He worked as a car salesman in New York, spent some time studying for the Jesuit priesthood and did special assignment work for the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

He attended the Idyllwild Bible Church where memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13.

Internment will be at the Riverside Veterans National Cemetery in Riverside. No graveside services are planned.

Mr. Knowicki is survived by many loving friends in Idyllwild, as well as others from California to New York, and his faithful canine companion, Beratta.

Similar Posts

  • Obituary: Rich Guzman

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    Rich Guzman, 71, loving husband, father and grandfather, died Thursday, June 3, 1999, at his Idyllwild home. He was born April 18, 1928, in Los Angeles. A skilled craftsman, Mr. Guzman worked for 23 years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena and for 10 years as a self-employed carpenter in the Pasadena area. He…

  • Obituary: Bill Chindlund

    By Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Bill Chindlund passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday morning, Sept. 7, while on his daily walk on May Valley Road. He was 67. Cause of death is still being determined. Bill moved to Idyllwild with his wife, Charlene, in May 2004, and had explored most of the trails in the local mountains. A lover…

  • Obituary: Elisabeth Wilhelmina Jaspers-Fayer

    By Reading Time: 2 minutes

    On Friday, April 18 2014, Elisabeth Wil- helmina Jaspers-Fayer peacefully passed. Born on Sept. 3, 1928, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, our dear Elisabeth came to California in 1961 with her two children and husband Jan. They moved from Palos Verdes to Idyllwild and resided there for 34 years. Over the years, she was very active as…

  • Obituary: Marguerite Bettis

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    Marguerite Bettis, a 9-year resident of Idyllwild, died at her home Nov. 2. A private family service was held at Forest Lawn in Glendale on Nov. 7. Her daughter, Trish Wimbrow, was very appreciative of community members who assisted in caring for her mother and who were supportive of Mrs. Wimbrow, a former Idyllwild resident….

  • Obituary: Ernestine Appy Wilder

    By Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Ernestine Appy Wilder, a longtime resident of Idyllwild, died in Palm Desert on June 12. Friends and family will remember her warmth, graciousness and sense of fun. Though born in New York in 1912, she grew up in Glendora and attended the University of Southern California. She married Harold Wilder in 1933 and raised two…