Obituary: Wolfgang Knauer

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Wolfgang Knauer

Fifty-five-year Malibu resident Wolfgang Knauer died on Jan. 6 after a lengthy battle with leukemia.

“Wolf touched many lives and lived a very full life,” a loved one said. He was born in Germany during post-World War I hardships, and soon became a conscripted soldier in WWII Germany. He survived the war and returned to his hometown, unlike many of his childhood friends. Seizing opportunity in the post war reconstruction, Knauer enrolled in the University of Tuebingen, where he received a doctorate in physics and met his future wife Hede. He later accepted an invitation to come to the United States through “Operation Paperclip.” 

In 1960, Knauer took a job at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu where he worked for over 30 years, eventually retiring with distinction as a senior scientist. He was awarded many patents in a broad range of fields.

His retirement years were spent with the Horizon Hills neighborhood association, Fire Protection Council, and his close friends and family. He and his friends Ernie Masler and Herb Kolischer were profiled in a Malibu Times article “An unlikely trio of friends.”

Knauer’s other interests included sailing, skiing and hiking. He actively participated in and helped lead the Point Dume and Malibu yacht clubs, where he taught other members how to ski, square dance, hike and other pursuits. Knauer also mentored many of Malibu’s youths as a Scouting leader. 

Looking back at his life, Knauer stated, “I consider myself lucky for having lived so long and under such fortunate circumstances. I had a professional life that was well suited to my abilities, California provided a favorable environment, and Malibu was a perfect basis for a happy family life. I should add that Hede was the heart of the family. She was an up-beat and loving person who brightened my life in many ways. She was an excellent mother for our three sons who have grown into respectable adults with families of their own and with good jobs.”

Knauer is survived by his sons Peter, Stephen and Tom, and grandchildren Andrew, Madeline, Lukas and Matthew.