Dave Knickerbocker Obituary

David L. Knickerbocker, Jr

David L. Knickerbocker, Jr. went home to be with Jesus on June 8, 2025 after courageously fighting health issues in connection to a stage IV cancer diagnosis. He was incredibly brave as he forged his own path into the unknown—he relied on his faith to lead him as there was no one he could find who took the same path with this very rare cancer. He wanted so much to be able to help others after he was healed. His faith was immeasurable and incredibly steadfast until his very last breath. He would often remark that he didn’t want people to say he was “so strong fighting this cancer,” but he just wanted to be healed so he could glorify Jesus.

He endured much suffering in the last part of his journey, but he would say “my Jesus is carrying me.” He memorized and repeated over and over Psalm 143:8, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.“ He truly lived out this verse, even during pain and suffering, and never wavered in his faith. He was grateful for the simple blessings God gave him during that time, and didn’t want anyone to be bitter or mad at God if he wasn’t healed here on this earth. He said he was ready to inherit what his Jesus sacrificially did for him, and have Him carry him into the Kingdom. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Dave was born in Erie, PA on October 15, 1977 during game 4 of the World Series, as his dad’s beloved New York Yankees played the Los Angeles Dodgers. His dad was overjoyed as he now had a handsome namesake, and the Yankees won 4-2. (The Yankees won the series in NY, in 6 games three days later.)

Dave and his family spent five years during his early childhood living in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and traveling throughout Europe, where young Davie chased pigeons in every city. He was a charmer with his golden blonde curls and a twinkle in his eye, and would strike up conversations with strangers, asking funny questions like “you ‘moke?” (Do you smoke?) He enchanted a whole bus full of tourists in Greece, and one of the families later hosted his family at their home in Paris as a result.

Once they returned back to the States, he started playing sports, and excelled in baseball and basketball. He grew up cheering for the Atlanta Braves and NY Knicks. He spent many summers on the basketball courts behind Pizza Hut or celebrating there after a baseball game. He went on to play both sports at General McLane High School, from where he graduated in 1996.

He continued his baseball career in college, playing for Messiah College in Grantham, PA. After graduating in 2000 with his Bachelor’s degree, he continued on to get his MBA from Mount St. Mary’s University while serving as the assistant coach of the women’s softball team there. Soon after graduating, he got a job with Wells Fargo Mortgage Company in Frederick, MD and continued working there for almost 23 years as a financial analyst.

He continued his love of sports into adulthood, as he played and coached with the Hagerstown Area Church Softball League for 10 years. During the fall, every Saturday was spent with his nephews and their friends watching college football. He bragged that he once watched for 13 hours straight. He also loved cheering on his brother-in-law’s college teams, and was a faithful online viewer.

But one of his greatest joys was cheering on his nephews as they played baseball over the years, and everyone on their teams knew and loved “Uncle Dave.” He was so grateful to be able to make it for his youngest nephew’s senior night for high school baseball. That was the last game he saw in person.

He also loved music, (especially 80s music!) and would attend Erie Philharmonic concerts with his dad and sister, the international concert series at the Foreign Embassies in Washington DC with his mom and sister, and even took Arthur Murray swing dancing classes with his cousin, Jessica (not that he needed dance classes—he could bust a move and even won a dance contest in high school!)

The former Prom King made friends everywhere he went, and was well loved. He was a straight-shooter, but so kind and laid-back, and gave great advice. With his infectious laugh and sense of humor, he could tell one heck of a story! He gave those he loved nicknames and made up special songs to sing for them. He filled every gathering with joy and laughter and will be so incredibly missed.

Dave was preceded in death by his father, David Knickerbocker, Sr, and his step father, Victor Hanko. He is survived by his mother, Mary (Szymanski) Hanko, his sister, Kimberly (Knickerbocker) Peterson, her husband (Dave’s “brother”) Dean Peterson Jr, his beloved nephews Quinn Peterson, Ryan Peterson, and Jaeden Peterson, many special aunts, uncles, cousins, & many friends who were more like family. To know Dave was to love him, and he was loved by so many. Our world is forever changed.