David Leslie Knode, Jan. 24, 1952 – Oct. 21, 2011

David Leslie Knode

Jan. 24, 1952 – Oct. 21, 2011

David Leslie Knode was the first child born to George and June (Erie) Knode on Jan. 24, 1952, in Riceville, Iowa. He was raised on their northeast Iowa farm with his three siblings, attended country school and graduated from Riceville Community High School in 1970. He was baptized and confirmed at the LeRoy Lutheran Church in LeRoy, Minn. David earned his associate’s degree at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa in 1972. Two years later, he received both his bachelor’s degree at Iowa State University and his commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. In 1984 he earned his master’s degree in computer science through the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.

While stationed at Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan, he met Keiko Goto, and they were married in Tokyo on Jan. 22, 1980. They were blessed with two children, Anthony and Sayoko, who were his constant source of pride and joy. David served for 20 years in the Air Force as a C-130 pilot and staff officer, and retired in 1992 with the rank of Major. During his time in the Air Force he served in a variety of positions both at home and abroad, including a tour of duty at command headquarters during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 1997, David and his family moved to Bellevue, Wash., where he worked as a financial planner with Waddell and Reed.

David was an active member of numerous service and professional organizations and groups throughout his lifetime. In recent years, he enjoyed membership in the Military Officers Association of America, the National Financial Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and serving as a board member of Trinity Lutheran College. He served and celebrated his faith at Grace Lutheran Church in Bellevue.

In 2005, David was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His courage, faith, resilience, strength and determination during his six-year struggle with this disease were an inspiration to all who knew him, cared for him and loved him. He passed away at Overlake Hospital, Bellevue, on Oct. 21, 2011.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Keiko, Bellevue; son, Anthony, New York City, N.Y.; daughter, Sayoko, Boise, Idaho; father, George Knode, LeRoy, Minn.; brothers John (Connie) Knode, Riceville, Iowa; Steve (Glenda) Knode, Spring Valley, Minn.; and sister Sharon Bergan, LeRoy, Minn. David was preceded in death by his mother, Marion (June) Knode.

A Celebration of Life will be held Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at , 9625 N.E. 8^th St., Bellevue. An online guestbook is available at CascadeMemorial.com.