Marvin “Dick” Knoll passed away Friday, May 7, 2010, in Blanco, Texas, his home of 90 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herman Knoll and Clara Koch Knoll, brother Roland Knoll. and sister Nora Knoll Maples. He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Monta Barry Knoll; sons Edward Knoll and his wife Cathy, Dwight Knoll and his wife Paula, and Harold Knoll; grandchildren Thomas Knoll and his wife Kim, Dwight Thomas Knoll, Katy Knoll, Aubrey Knoll Moore and her husband Dennis, and Christine Flores.

Dick was born at home on his family’s homestead along the Blanco River, part of what is now the Blanco State Park, on September 18, 1919. He grew up, attended school, and had his first jobs locally.

He joined the military in January 1943 and was serving as an aircraft welder in Okinawa at the end of World War II. Following the war, he returned to Blanco. Not long afterward, he met his future wife, Monta Barry, in Austin.

They were married on November 23, 1947. For the next three years, he worked for a local builder. 1951 brought two new changes: the birth of a first child, Edward, and the beginning of a new business, the Knoll Blacksmith and Sheet Metal Shop.

Over the next fifty years, Dick served the community, not only as a local businessman, but in a number of other roles. He was a leader of Boy Scouts and Little League while his sons were young, served on the city council for fifteen years and the school board for eighteen, was an active member of the Lutheran Church, American Legion, and a sixty-two-year member of the Blanco Masonic Lodge.

He was also a member of Germania Farmer Verein for over fifty years. After retiring from the blacksmith shop, he worked as a volunteer, helping to build the Gem of the Hills Community Center.

Community was always important to Dick Knoll, as evidenced by his life. He was loved and will be missed by many.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. Monday at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Blanco. Burial followed in the Blanco Cemetery.