Roswitha & Justin Knoop

This is not your ordinary obituary. It's about two extraordinary people married for more than 56 years who passed away just over three weeks from each other. Juergen "Justin" Knoop passed away on Dec. 22, 2023 from complications following a stroke at the age of 82. The love of his life, Roswitha "Rose'" Keller Knoop, followed him into the next adventure on Jan. 13, 2024, four days after her 83rd birthday, also from complications from a stroke. But, first, beginnings... Both were born in Germany in 1941 in the midst of the second world war, Roswitha on Jan. 9 and Juergen on Aug. 2. He never knew his father. Roswitha grew up in Hamburg, a city of bridges and the proving ground of the Beatles. Juergen grew up in nearby Bremen, home of Beck's beer and the Bremer Stadtmusikanten. The two met at a dance where, among other topics of conversation, they argued about the war in Vietnam. From those inauspicious beginnings a great love grew and the two were soon inseparable. Their son, Michael (named after the folk song, "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" and because it worked equally well in German and English) was born in Hamburg in Oct. 1967. Juergen then joined the air force which allowed him his first opportunity to see the United States. He was so smitten by the Texas cities of Lubbock and El Paso that he brought over Roswitha and their infant son in 1968. Their daughter, Corinna (named after the popular song "Corrina, Corrina" - albeit with a slight misspelling) was born in El Paso in 1971. Juergen strongly believed in the promise of the American dream and that an essential key to obtaining it was higher education. As a student older than average, he earned a business degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. He credited UTEP for much of his success in business and remained a proud Miner for the rest of his life. The young family then moved to and around the state of California, settling in San Diego. There the three German-born Knoops became naturalized American citizens. An even more exotic land would soon be their home. In 1975, Juergen took a job as an accountant with Bell Helicopter International and the family moved to Tehran, Iran. Once there, Roswitha also started at BHI, even standing up to a general to discuss why she was qualified for the position. The family spent four wonderful years in Iran followed by six tumultuous months as the Islamic Revolution engulfed the country. Even in the midst of turmoil, both parents kept a cool head. How Juergen navigated through a protest rally with a pie in each hand has become the stuff of family legend. Their last Christmas in Iran, Roswitha made and decorated a Christmas tree with Michael and Corinna out of paper because the real thing was hard to come by. Both kids thought it was one of the best Christmases ever. The family then moved to the Fort Worth area. Juergen officially changed his name to Justin, a name much easier to pronounce by Americans who never quite got the hang of Juergen starting with a "Y" sound. Roswitha was quickly nicknamed "Rose" or "Rosie" by her new friends and co-workers. Justin continued to work for Bell Helicopter as a subcontract negotiator which allowed him to travel much of the country. He developed a deep affection for the Pacific Northwest and, on the other side of the country, Maine and Vermont. Rose built her own career supervising logistics for Harris Graphics, first in Grapevine, then in Kennedale on the other side of Tarrant County, which became Heidelberg Harris in 1988 after an acquisition. Justin earned his MBA from the University of Dallas in 1995 and retired from Bell Helicopter the following year but stayed busy as an accounting professor at what is now Tarrant County College. Retirement also kept Rose very busy and actively involved with their homeowners association, the Fort Worth German Club (where she served a term as president) and Fort Worth Sister Cities International (where she served as treasurer at the time of her stroke). Of course, she made many, many close friends along the way - several who visited her in the hospital or at home and many more who sent well wishes through texts, emails, cards and phone calls. They were both politically active into their eighties, supporting the local Democratic party with both time and money. Both were also philanthropically involved with the Kimbell Art Museum, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the National Parks Association, among others. A special part of retirement was spending time with their four grandkids and showing off the Metroplex's museums, zoos, and other attractions. Both are preceded in death by their parents and survived by their two children and spouses and four grandchildren. Additionally, Justin is survived by his siblings and their respective families in Germany. Rose is also preceded in death by her two older sisters and older brother, and survived by many nieces and nephews. If you choose, please consider making a memorial gift in their name to the University of Texas at El Paso or any of the non-profits named above. Rest in peace, Mom & Dad, we will never forget you.