Steve Knodell

Gregory Steven Knodell was born May 8, 1952 in Denver, Colorado. He passed quietly on May 21, 2026 after a courageous eight-year struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Steve was a Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS) well-known and respected in the State of Texas. His impressive professional career spans more than four decades leaving a legacy that will live on in Texas history through the many important civil engineering projects bearing his signature and stamp.

Steve started his surveying career in his early twenties as a member of a field crew for Dannenbaum Engineering. He rose through various positions, earned his surveying license and later formed his own firm, The Survey Company, based in Houston. This is where he embraced the future of computerized surveying, at which he excelled.

He held positions at West Roe in Houston; Western Land Concept and Sunray in California; AECOM in Houston and finally the Houston office of Austin-based SAM Inc.

Steve was a valued member of the management team at SAM Inc., the nation’s largest Managed Geospatial Services™ company. He served as the firm’s Houston Office Manager, where he was responsible for strategic growth, operational excellence and client relationships. He was also responsible for the firm’s decades-long relationship with the Texas Department of Transportation Houston District. Upon retirement, he served in an emeritus capacity as an Associate. Steve was held in high regard for his client relationship abilities and significant team mentoring skills.

In December of 1979 Steve met Jenny Rae. Four months later they were married. The couple welcomed their daughter Kimberly in 1990. Kimberly’s grandfather, Clive Rae, was a beloved friend and mentor to Steve.

Sports were important in Steve’s life. He was an avid Astros and Texans fan and an active athlete himself. He enjoyed surfing, softball, racquetball, boating, fishing and golf. He was also a wicked foosball player blessed with an amazing sense of humor and a sincere love of his pets, especially his beloved Shih Tzu, Daisy.

Steve was a member of Hearthstone Country Club, where he and several friends met weekly for their regular Saturday and Sunday tee times. For over two decades, Steve lived on the golf course with a beautiful view of Hearthstone’s sixth green and seventh tee box along Horsepen Creek.

He liked other sports, but truly loved the game of golf. A lifetime of trophies, awards, golf gear and memorabilia bear witness to this fact. As golf great Gary Player once said, “Golf is a game of life — it’s about trying to do better.” And Steve did just that, in golf and in life.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Emil Ralph Knodell Sr.; and mother, Georgia Marie Ramp.

He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Rae Knodell; his brothers, Emil Ralph Knodell Jr. and Eugene Richard Knodell; and his former wife, Jenny Rae Knodell.

A celebration of life for Steve is scheduled for Saturday June 13, 2026 from 4pm-6pm at Hearthstone Country Club. The address is 7615 Ameswood Dr., Houston, TX 77095.