Scott Knudsen Obituary

Scott Knudsen attended Brainerd High School in Brainerd, MN. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Scott Knudsen.

Graduation Year	Class of 1978
Date of Passing	Mar 20, 2011
About	Feb. 13, 1960 — March 20, 2011 Remembering dearest Scott, who passed away in peaceful sleep of a coronary event at the age of 51. He did not suffer as he went to God. Scott lived his life to the fullest with gusto, adventure, integrity, kindness and with a sense of humor. He was a beloved husband, son, brother, cousin and friend to many. He will be dearly missed, however, many of his humorous one-liners and lust for life will live on forever in our memories. Scott was born in Wayzata, Minn., soon to move with his parents Richard and Shirley Knudsen to the Brainerd lakes area. Scott thrived amongst his neighborhood family and friends and attended St. Francis parochial school where he was active as an altar boy. He graduated from Brainerd High School as a proud Warrior football player and popular student. Scott met his future wife Pamela (Strong) Knudsen at the tender age of 13 as they were paired in a Camp Confidence Charity Golf Tournament. He asked permission to date her at age 16. From then on the soul mates began their life journey together. Scott graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with his bachelor’s degree in business administration. Soon he was recruited for employment by Kodak Corporation and was promoted within the year to the Los Angeles/Orange County area of California. Scott was awarded sales manager of the year, acquiring the largest account in the company’s history. While working in California he proposed to Pamela who was working as a nurse in Minneapolis. With his usual style he greeted her at the airport with a dozen roses and an engagement ring. After a wonderful year exploring the beauty of California, Hawaii and Mexico their friends saw them off from an engagement party in Los Angeles to marry in Naples, Fla., Dec. 8, 1984, where his family resided and surrounded the couple with love. The couple chose to honeymoon at Breezy Point Resort, Minnesota for snowmobiling fun, recapturing their love of nature and childhood home. After several years in California, Scott was recruited by Maytag Corporation and took the position offered for the Minnesota region where the couple bought a home in Stillwater. The couple worked side by side at their respective careers and also enjoyed gardening, nature, travel, friends and family. Because Scott’s Midwest work ethic was so strong and successful, Maytag promoted him to the San Francisco region back in California; within a couple of years again another promotion to the San Diego/Los Angeles area. While at their home in San Diego many family and friends visited and they made annual summer trips to Minnesota for fishing vacations along with travel both inside and outside the United States. Scott was an avid golfer and played in many charity tournaments including the Make A-Wish Foundation and loved being an anonymous Santa to a family in need every year. Kindness toward others was an everyday philosophy that Scott practiced naturally. Scott always lent a hand to others in needful times and was grateful to do so. Scott was a natural athlete his whole life. He skied both snow and water, fished both lakes and oceans, sail boated, golfed, and loved snorkeling in warm tropic waters. Out of the many national parks hiked, Sequoia National was his favorite. While at their home in San Diego Scott’s mother, Shirley, died while he was in flight to be by her side. When he learned of his father, Richard’s illness he immediately asked his corporate employer for a transfer to Florida in order to spend as much time with his father as possible. He and other family members were with Richard in his home where he passed peacefully in his sleep. Scott was then recruited by an international corporation who offered him a position back in San Diego where he was in charge of the areas of Hawaii, Southern California and Las Vegas. As always he succeeded in his career and was much loved by both peers and his supervisors. Scott and Pamela settled into the quaint village of Fallbrook, Calif., where they lived for the last 12 years. Scott loved the serenity of the flower-filled mountain village with a Main Street where everyone knows your name (even your dogs’ names). Scott always said he loved the weekends of “contentment” where quiet days and gentle nights at home with his family and dogs were spent with roaring fires, swimming, movies, cooking together and long lovely walks. Scott was loved and admired for his positive outlook on life and his charismatic personality — he was just plain fun to be with. At his sudden passing, hundreds of cards and letters of tribute came to his family who is forever grateful for such kind and supportive words of comfort. A private personal viewing was held in Fallbrook and friends gathered for a public ceremony as well. Scott is survived by his wife of 26 years, Pamela Knudsen, Fallbrook, Calif.; brother, Guy R. Knudsen, of Castleberry, Fla.; sisters, Nan Hawley, of Emily, Minn., and Deb Hunter, of Naples, Fla., along with many Knudsen cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also missed sorely by his animal companions.