In Loving Memory of Arthur Harwood Knettle

August 23, 1937 – October 8, 2020

Arthur H. Knettle (83) died October 8, 2020. He was born August 23, 1937 in Otterville, Missouri, as an only child of Raymond and Irene (Moehle) Knettle. He grew up in Pilot Grove, MO and graduated from Pilot Grove High School in 1955. He enjoyed playing basketball, playing pool and driving his car a little too fast (there was no speed limit on many roads back then)!

Following graduation Art joined the Navy and attended basic training at The Keel – United States Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, IL before being transferred to Naval Air Station Glynco in Brunswick, Georgia. While home on leave Art proposed to Anita O’Brien on December 25, 1956. They were married the following year on November 23, 1957 in Boonville, MO. After returning to Brunswick, they began their adventure together and lived there until early 1959 before relocating to Kansas City, Kansas when Art was hired by the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). While in the Kansas City area they welcomed daughter Donna before moving to Chicago, IL for a short but meaningful stay, as son Mark was born there. In 1965 Art transferred to the FAA center in Jacksonville, FL where the family enjoyed the warm weather, sand, surf, and many visits from family.

In 1970, they returned to Kansas City when Art transferred to the FAA center in Olathe. During this time family boating and water skiing became a favorite activity. Over the years Art enjoyed helping to teach his kids, many nieces, nephews, friends, and grandkids how to water ski. It gave him such joy to watch them accomplish a challenge and build their confidence! He was also an avid golfer with a funky swing, but he still managed to hit three hole-in-ones during his retirement years. While working for the FAA Art also earned his bachelor’s degree from Mid-America Nazarene College and worked part-time for H&R Block for a few years. In 1992 Art retired and he and Anita moved to Bella Vista, AR on Lake Windsor. During his twenty-eight years of retirement he enjoyed many family weekends at the BV home and vacations with his children, grandchildren, in-laws, and friends. He spent countless hours playing the seven golf courses of Bella Vista and thoroughly enjoyed his time with other golf enthusiasts. Among his favorite golf partners were his son Mark and his oldest grandson, Brian.
One of Art’s many great attributes was meeting new people. He did not know a stranger, was quick to reach out to welcome a new neighbor and loved conversing with others – job, interests, background, how things were going, what was the latest, etc. He showed this genuine interest by asking many, many questions – anyone who knew Art had this experience more than once! He was very straightforward, unapologetically not politically correct, and never hesitated to toss in a measure of sarcasm. Underneath it all he was tough with a soft side, would look you straight in the eye when he shared his point of view, and never failed to flash a quick smile with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

Survivors include daughter Donna Miller (Mitch) of Overland Park; son Mark Knettle (Jamie) of Olathe and four grandchildren, Brian Miller (Nicole) of Bella Vista, AR; Lauren Miller of Dallas, TX; Scott Knettle, Kansas City, MO; and Reed Knettle, Kansas City, KS. He was preceded in death by his wife Anita and parents, Raymond and Irene Knettle.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Visit curealz.org for the many ways to donate – 100% of all funds go directly to research.

The service will be available for viewing online, as well as the memorial tribute video, on Friday, October 16 after 5pm. Please click on links that will be available below to view the videos.