RICHARD KNOBLICH
Richard Knoblich was crowned the biggest liar in the state of West Virginia, and he would gleefully show you his golden shovel trophy to prove it if he hadn’t died this week.
And if the death of a famed liar sounds dubious, we get it.
Just to be sure, you can visit him on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Grisell Funeral Home and Crematory, 400 Jefferson Ave., Moundsville, with services to be held Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
Richard grew up the middle child between beloved sisters Libby and Nancy, and dedicated a significant portion of his life to entertaining and teasing them in equal measure.
He married his high school sweetheart, Sharon. For 48 years they had an amazing marriage — even if Richard was more popular at parties.
They had a son, Trevor. When asked what having a kid was like, Richard told Trevor that he learned children expand your heart, growing your capacity for love immeasurably.
And that’s the thing about Richard: While he was usually irreverent and occasionally an impatient grouch, he could stun you with his sentimentality. This was especially apparent spending time with his granddaughter, Eva. He brought terrific Grandpa energy to reading her stories and making her laugh.
Richard had too many hobbies to recount, among them photography, kite flying, woodworking, architecture, and a love for Rock ‘n’ Roll music.
Like Sharon, Richard spent his career as a public elementary school teacher with Marshall County Schools. He earned his own way through school at West Liberty, as well as a master’s degree. Richard was especially interested in specific scientific fields: geology, astronomy and physics.
He was handy, too. With Sharon’s help, he planned and built a beautiful two-story deck on the side of the family house, a brick sidewalk and a play fort for Trevor.
As he neared retirement, his proclivity for a good joke and a long story evolved into telling increasingly exaggerated tall tales. He began performing traditional Appalachian storytelling all around the region, and won multiple awards.
He also loved the history of Wheeling and nearby Oglebay Park. He gave bus tours at Christmas time, did lectures and his last job was with the Oglebay Welcome Center.
He died at 71 years old on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at WVU-Wheeling Hospital, surviving his parents Albert and Jean Clouston Knoblich. He is survived by his sisters Libby and Nancy, wife Sharon, son Trevor (Elizabeth), granddaughter Eva and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741; Marshall County Animal Shelter, 37 Animal Shelter Dr., Moundsville, WV 26041; or The Strand Theater, 511 15th Street Moundsville, WV 26041.
Sympathy expressions at grisellfuneral homes.com.