CAPT Frank C. Knock USN (ret.)

CAPT Franklin Cully Knock USN (Ret.)

Frank passed into eternal life on January 24th, 2015, after a brief illness surrounded by family and friends. He was born December 8, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Franklin Coblentz Knock and Ruth Marie Cully. Frank gained an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, graduating with the class of 1948A. He met and married the love of his life, Carol Elizabeth LaChapelle, in Monterrey, CA in 1958. They were married for almost 53 years, before she passed on April 9, 2011. Carol and Frank moved to The Fairfax military retirement community in 2010.

After early sea duty which included service on board the Battleship Missouri, he became an Engineering Duty Officer, spending much of his career at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. In his final tour there, he was assigned as Production Officer where he built, overhauled and refueled many nuclear-powered submarines and destroyers. In 1972 he transferred with his family to Northern Virginia where he worked at the Naval Sea Systems Command as a senior manager until his retirement from the Navy in 1978. Frank continued to work as a management consultant for many years thereafter.

But he most enjoyed being with his wife Carol and daughter, Lisa Marie, participating in the family’s passion for breeding, training and showing dogs. His late wife Carol had her own dog obedience school that she established in the 1960s, The Civilized Dog, of which Frank was a key and prominent partner, making many friends in the community while contributing to its success. Additionally Frank and Carol established TriSorts Kennel in the 1970s breeding Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s, American Staffordshire Terriers, Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Sheepdogs, and of course their beloved Belgian Malinois. TriSorts has bred over 150 Champions of record and several Westminster Kennel Club “Best of Breed” (Belgian Malinois) and Specialty winners. Frank was a key and prominent partner making many friends in the community while contributing to its success.

He served for many years as a Director on the national board of the American Belgian Malinois Club, and volunteered wherever needed in support of the Club’s operations. Additionally, Frank was a past president of the Rotary Club, and Toastmasters International as well as his local homeowners’ association in Vienna, VA.

He was a consummate gentleman who generously donated his time to help those around him as well as many organizations. Frank Knock is survived by his daughter Lisa, son-in-law Carl D. Brown, brother Richard Knock and sister in law Linda (Schaible) Knock of Cupertino CA, his two nephews, Prescott and Spencer Knock; and brother-in-law Bill LaChapelle of Federal Way, WA.

Frank’s family wishes to thank the caring team of private duty aides (Leticia Jones, Christie Dano, and Tess Mendoza), as well as The Fairfax team, for their wonderful care. Thank you for sharing in the celebration of Frank’s life, and for the many expressions of sympathy, caring and love. Memorial donations may be made to: www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org

CAPT Knock will buried, with full military honors, at Arlington National Cemetery on May 19, 2015 at 3pm (section 64, grave 1795)