(Bo) Knab was born in Eureka, California, October 26, 1929 to George and May Elizabeth Knab.

Bo’s father was in the Redwood business and was transferred to Chicago in 1935. Bo’s parents were divorced a year later. Bo always said how lucky he was that his mother’s sister lived in Portland. In an epic road trip from Chicago Bo’s mom moved Bo and his brother George to Portland in 1936 in 1931 Auburn.

While attending Ockley Green in 1936-37 Bo and his brother George during the summer would float around in rafts on the Willamette near Mocks Bottom (now part of the NW Industrial area). One day a Rose Festival Fleet of majestic Navy ships went by and Bo was totally amazed on what effect it would have on him in his later years. Little did Bo know he was destined to become a Super Patriot. He served in the Navy just after high school.

Bo had an incredibly engaging personality. Bo used that charisma at KOIN Channel 6 as a salesman. He was there 31 wonderful years.

Bo had four major passions in his life. His love of the USA, the opposite sex, cars and boats. In his young life cars came first. He fully embraced the American dream of mobility. To have your own wheels was THE thing. Bo started with roadsters, moved to Jeeps, then to an eclectic classic, a 1977 AMC Pacer he named Tubby. At this time Bo realized a core truth about himself, WHEN IN DOUBT GO LARGER. His first roadster and 2 carburetors, his next had 4!

The opposite sex was a constant passion. Bo connected with many wonderful women who he adored. He popped the question just twice. In 1951 Bo married Virginia Menefee. Three children, Kathryn, Charles, and Timothy came soon after. Bo and Ginnie were divorced in 1963. In 1992 Bo married Sydney Miller, his love to his dying day.

Bo was an incredible water skier on the Willamette during his 20’s and 30’s. In 1969 Bo decided to make a change. He sold his river property and bought a beautiful classic sailboat he named TROUBLE. Bo had never sailed a day in his life but he figured it was a good time to buy a 48′ sailboat. He had been waiting years for some way to greet the Rose Festival Naval Fleet. Now he and Trouble could do that. In 1970 Bo bought a large American flag like Burger King’s (600sq.ft.) so he and Trouble could greet all the ships at St. Helens. He sold Trouble in 1983.

Next Bo bought LUSCIOUS, a 54 footer, and increased the size of the American flag to a LARGER 25’x40′ (1000sq.ft.)! Bo greeted the fleet from 1970 to 2001. The Navy men were so happy to be greeted each year by Bo and his giant flag. Thus a tradition was born. Bo, Trouble/Luscious and the American Flag visited the Astoria Regatta 25 times, the 1812 Overture in downtown Portland 25 times, led the PYC opening day 44 times, visited parties at North Portland Harbor 40 times on July 4th and most importantly Luscious went to Astoria to meet the Battleship MISSOURI for its decommissioning. There were 55,000 people there! Not knowing the poor reception the New Jersey would receive from the Occupy demonstrators hanging from the bridge with their usual anti-patriotic message. Luscious was hiding behind the west pier of the Burlington Northern Bridge with its HUGE FLAG FLYING. When the Big Incredible bow of the New Jersey poked its nose under the bridge Luscious and its massive flag moved from hiding and the crowd went wild. In particular, by account of a KOIN 6 cameraman, the Admiral who was on the bridge, with tears in his eyes, said, “Now that’s more like it.” Bo’s love for this country was overwhelming. Bo was so lucky to have Portland Yacht Club (PYC) and all his friends in his life.

He is survived by his wife Sydney; his children Kate, Butch and Tim (Connie); his grandchildren Keith, Ren, Wylie Knab; his step children Emily (Joe) and Sara (Ted); his step grandchildren, Anthony, Abby, Ben and Eliza DeVera, Finley and Silas Hobbs; and his cats, Stan and Ollie.

He would love you to google “High Flight TV station sign off” and watch it. This 2 minute video says so much about how Bo felt about his country and all the beautiful, amazing, wonderful people who graced his life.

In lieu of flowers Bo would like memories to be sent to the Oregon Humane Society.

Facts Born: October 26, 1929
Death: February 28, 2014