Kendall K. Kneen

KENDALL K. KNEEN, 89, Passed away Tuesday September 22, 2009. He was born in the family farmhouse on Feb. 19, 1920 in Mount Union, Iowa to the late Karl W. Kneen & Izle Heater Kneen. <P> Mr. Kneen was a retired Lieutenant Commander from the U.S. Navy. During WWII he was a ferrier pilot and then became a transport/test pilot and flying became his passion. He trained as an aviator in Pensacola, FL 1941 and was stationed in Columbus, OH with Air Ferry Squadron Two 1942-?. Mr. Kneen and his WWII squadron spent much time at reunions with the Blue Angels ? who regard them as having paved the way for their aerial demonstration team. Late in 2008 he was interviewed by an archivist from the Smithsonian Institute for his WWII service. After the service, his love for agriculture led him to obtain a BS in Agricultural Economics from the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1947. Mr. Kneen retired from a career as a grain merchandiser for the Pillsbury Company 1947-1980 at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and continued as a loaned executive to Romania, part of VOCA. He co-founded the Minnesota Soaring Club, became a Big Brother Raymond, was involved with Habitat for Humanity and was a lifetime member of; The American Legion Post 471, AOPA, EAA and Kiwanis Circle K of Edina, MN and the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. He continued to fly privately his entire life and built ultra-light airplanes for years and never lost his passion for flying but will also be fondly remembered for his love of the outdoors and growing things. He was an accomplished gardener who loved getting his hands in the dirt and especially enjoyed traipsing through his beloved timber in SE Iowa watching his trees grow. <P> He leaves to cherish his memory, a daughter, Dominique Meadows Niki and a son, Rev. Dr. Kermit Kyle Kneen; a son-in-law, Bill Meadows; 3 grandchildren; Taylor, Tessa and Rachel; 3 siblings, Phillip Kneen, Letitia Cory, Jon Kneen, and 28 nieces and nephews. <P> He is preceded in death by his wife, June Irene Little Kneen who passed away in 2003. <P> He loved both the earth and the sky and he lived an amazing 89 years and touched everyone he came in contact with. May the wind continue to be beneath his wings and let him soar the universe for eternity. He was truly an officer and a gentleman and will be greatly missed. <P> Arrangements are private at the request of the family. <P>