Obituary of Art David Knecht

May 25, 1945 – Moosejaw, Saskatchewan

January 14, 2025 – Calgary, Alberta

Arthur David ‘Art’ Knecht passed away unexpectedly at home, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at the age of 79 years.

Born May 25, 1945, in Moose Jaw, SK, Art was a devoted husband to Gail, a loving father to Dianne (Brad), Cindy, and Mike (Tracy), stepfather to Colleen (Travis), and grandfather to Brennan, Avery, Jake, Taylor, Carson, Evan, and Kayla. He’ll be sorely missed by his siblings, Elsie, Walter, and Albert, and his large extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Martha and Henry, his brother Pete, his first wife, Donna, and his son David.

Art was completely devoted to the outdoors, bringing a toughness you had to see to believe. He’d ride up Highwood Pass as fast as some on carbon bikes while wearing jeans and work gloves, and riding a bike heavier than some sedans, with giant plastic toolboxes bolted to the front and back to carry whatever you might need on the trip. He’d stride up mountains relentlessly and without obvious fear, again carrying more and complaining less than anyone else. He always wanted to get to the top, to see around the next corner, and to chase the next adventure with energy levels men half his age could only dream of. And he loved to share this passion with family and friends, pushing anyone willing to see what he loved so much—almost always with patience.

Art had a genius eye for engineering solutions to problems, and a relentless desire to repair and improve. Two things you knew when he set out to create something—it would work, and it wouldn’t be light. Why use a small metal rod when you could use a 2x4, and why use one 2x4 when you could use three? Form was rarely relevant to him, but function was never questioned.

His curiosity was bottomless and extended to often surprising limits. If you were interested in something, he wanted to understand why. In recent years he started to become deaf, but his hearing was conveniently sharp when gathering information to file away.

Above all, Art was a sturdy foundation for many in his life. An incredibly devoted and adored grandfather and great-uncle, he effortlessly balanced teaching and learning with remarkable savvy for someone who claimed he didn’t believe in formal education. A partner so admirably committed to Gail that the line between ‘he’ and ‘they’ was all but invisible—in the best of ways. A family member and friend who would say yes to anything was as reliable as could be and was only grumpy when it was warranted. Art was, in short, a great man. And there is no limit to how much he will be missed.

A Celebration of Art's Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Operation Eyesight Universal, 4 Parkdale Crescent N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 3T8 Telephone: (403) 283-6323, www.operationeyesight.ca.  or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Art’s family here.

In living memory of Art Knecht, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.