Theodore Eimon Knudson

Theodore Eimon Knudson Our beloved husband, father and grandfather peacefully entered the Life Eternal on May 24, 2016. Ted was born in Los Angeles to Harry and Ann Knudson on August 29, 1925. He grew up in the Hermon district of Highland Park in Los Angeles and graduated from Franklin High School in 1942. In 1951 he received a BA degree in Industrial Arts from the Santa Barbara College of the University of California (Riviera Campus), Later, he earned a Master’s Degree in Administration from USC. He started his career teaching junior high school In La Canada. He also taught at John Muir High School in Pasadena and at Cal State Los Angeles. On December 22, 1961, he married Gerda Nergaard. They moved from Pasadena to Goleta in 1967, when Ted accepted a position with the Santa Barbara High School District. He taught classes in woodworking, drafting and architecture at Dos Pueblos and San Marcos High Schools and at La Colina Junior High School, retiring in 1988. In earlier years, Ted made many camping and fishing trips with his father. While studying at UCSB, he established lifelong friendships with classmates including his brothers of Sigma Tau Gamma. Ted designed and constructed 3 houses for his family. Most of his adult life he enjoyed sailing a Geary 18 (Flattie) and the many friends he made through sailing activities. He loved camping and attending regattas in his motor home. In retirement he traveled to Baja, China, Scandinavia and cruises to the Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Europe and South America. Ted was a 45 year member of Christ Lutheran Church in Goleta and treasured his relationship with the Lord and the fellowship and hugs of many friends there. He is survived by Gerda, his wife of 54 years, and sons Gregory (Karen Hui) and Christopher (Tami) and grandchildren Isadora, Julianna and Harry Matthew. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Betty Jones. A celebration of his life will be held on June 11 at 1:00 PM at Christ Lutheran Church, 6595 Covington Way in Goleta. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Christ Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund, the UCSB Alumni Scholarship Fund or the Food Bank.