Read Richard Lloyd Knight's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Richard Lloyd Knight

Boise, ID, USA

November 9, 1945 - April 5, 2019

Nov 9, 1945 - Apr 5, 2019

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to National Council on Independent Living.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Photo

Richard Lloyd Knight passed away peacefully, in his Boise home, in the early hours of Friday April 5th 2019. Rick as most people knew him was born on November 9th 1945 in Fresno CA but spent his childhood on the beaches of Ventura California. He was raised by his mother Betty Lesley and step-father Gerald Lesley. Rick spent 4 years in the United States Air Force serving as a nuclear bomb technician mostly in the Philippines during the Vietnam war.
Rick went onto many adventures in his young adult life as a skier, chef, and whitewater rafting guide in Sun Valley Idaho. He had a deep love for classic cars and spent his whole life restoring them with and for friends and family. Rick was a top producing Idaho Realtor, bar and restaurant owner, and skilled salesman, but his most cherished accomplishments came in his career as an advocate for others with disabilities.
After Rick was diagnosed with MS in 1985 he struggled with his condition and loss of abilities until he moved to Kansas and found a calling working for an Independent living center helping others with disabilities. He spent over 20 years advocating for disability rights. He was an ADA specialist, manager, and played a key role in filing 585 complaints against Kansas on behalf of people with disabilities not receiving services. He was head of the Southeastern Kansas ADAPT chapter and he won the Region 7 Advocacy Award from the National Council on Independent Living. He was also honored with the Michael Lechner Award for Advocacy in 2011.
After he retired in 2014 and as he needed more assistance himself, Rick gained very strong bonds with his in-home care givers. He was always quick to share his knowledge, experience, and ideas about life and perseverance. Rick returned to Idaho in 2015 to be closer to family. He is survived by his three sons, Jonathan of Salt Lake City UT, Matthew (Carlee) of Reno NV, and Logan (Jamie) of Boise ID and grandchildren Piper, Emery, Delaney and Siyum. With everything he had accomplished and overcome, he was most proud of his three sons.
Rick asked for no funeral services. You can show your appreciation for him and his service by making a donation in his name to the National Council on Independent Living here: https://ncilforms.wufoo.com/f…

Order a beautiful PDF you can print and save or share.

Get the PDF

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.

Please consider a gift to National Council on Independent Living.

$100.00

Raised by 1 person

Learn more & give