Keith Knoch Obituary

Keith Allen Knoch, cherished brother of Karen Knoch and Michelle (Bill) Giambra passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025. His sisters were beside him, holding his hands as he exhaled his final breath. Keith would have been 59 years old on March 17.

Keith was preceded in death by his mother and father, Norma Jean (McClure) and John Charles Knoch and his grandmother with whom he was very close, Leah Mary (Dustin Knoch) Selzer.

Born and raised in Copley, Ohio, Keith was a 1985 graduate of Copley/Fairlawn High School.

Keith was charismatic and charming, ornery as all get out and brilliant with the kind of mind that could solution almost any problem. His memory was as sharp as a tack!

Always curious to understand how things worked, at 5 years old, Keith dismantled a teddy bear to figure out how it played music. He was able to take apart anything and put it back together in perfect working order, including the music box inside that teddy bear! With this skill set, it's not surprising that Keith became a master small engine mechanic. He never met a chainsaw or lawnmower he couldn't fix!

At 17 years old, a year following his mother's passing, a spinal cord injury resulted in waist-down paralysis for Keith. It didn't slow him down one bit. He never saw himself as unfortunate or limited. He found ways to make things work and lived his life to the fullest.

Until his accident, Keith enjoyed participating in sports. He excelled in wrestling, soccer and long-distance running.

From a very young age, Keith loved being outdoors and had a keen sense of adventure. He was always on the go, running bare-footed through the woods, building forts, scaling cliffs, riding his bike, fishing, climbing trees and taking hunting trips with his dad.

Keith called his 4-wheeler his "second pair of legs." He went everywhere on it, up and down Medina Line Road, through fields, into the woods, on more hunting trips with his dad and to places that most people wouldn't dare to attempt to go!

Children and animals were drawn to Keith. His friends' children loved spending time with him and begged their parents to take them to Uncle Keith's place down on the hill.

Keith adored his niece Kristen (Eddie) Vasko and nephews Jacob Knoch-Hawkins and John Knoch-Hawkins. He shared with them his love of nature, adventuresome spirit, mad euchre-playing skills, keen sense of humor, how to fish and how to care for the land. Keith enjoyed special one-on-one time with each of them. He was often their daytime caregiver during their early childhood. Feeling the importance of passing down family legacy stories, Keith relayed as much as he could to them.

A series of medical issues resulted in Keith taking up residency in skilled nursing facilities for the past 7 years. He was a guardian angel for some residents, especially the elderly. He looked out for them and spoke up for them when they couldn't. He befriended many residents and staff. He loved to chat.

Keith was a survivor. He beat the odds time and time again. Surprising his doctors, he bravely conquered many life-threatening illnesses and overcame many difficult set-backs for the last 30 years of his life. He became an expert in wound care and educated others on the proper protocols.

Keith often said the day that he couldn't get on his 4-wheeler was the day he no longer wanted to live. He wanted to grow old with his sisters. He fought hard to regain his health but his body was no longer able to thrive.

In addition to his sisters, brother-in-law, niece and nephews, Keith leaves behind loving aunts, uncles, many cousins and friends. His cousin, Dave Ellebruch was a devoted lifelong friend and a source of great support for Keith.

A celebration of Keith's life will take place later this year.

If you'd like to honor Keith's memory, take some notes from his playbook: live life to the fullest, be brave and appreciate nature - spend some time on a trail, sit by a tree, pause and gaze into a corn field, watch the birds, plant a tree, look at the sky, make a donation to a local park, do anything that speaks to your heart.