I knew “Roddy" (as he was then) in high school and thought of him as my closest friend (not an easy place to find friends, at least for me, so I didn’t have many). When he went on to Harvard, I went to nearby Tufts and visited him in Cambridge several times before I left for San Francisco in ’68.  I seem to remember he pulled off the incredible feat of literally talking his way out of being drafted at a draft board somewhere (for some reason I think it was New Mexico). At one point he was back in the Cincinnati area and I visited him where he was staying on the family farm. Later I also visited him at the Farm in Summertown –  I think he was responsible for the agricultural workers there, and there were many.  I later lived in other parts of the planet and lost track of him, only re-finding “Rudy” in recent years,  following him on Facebook. I admired him and, even from a distance, cared about him.  He was a special person. So sorry to learn he has died, for him and those of you he leaves behind.

My sincere condolences to the large Knoop Clan, and most especially to his two grandsons, Isaiah and Jeremiah, who also recently lost their mother in addition to their grandfather, Rudy.  

My late husband, Tom,  and I and our first baby son lived with Rudolph and Marilyn and Luther in a 16'X32' army tent on the old Farm in 1976-77,  along with another couple.  Close quarters for us [then] voluntary peasants.  Tom and Rudy were both important members of the Farming Crew and Marilyn and I both worked in the Lab of our community clinic.  

It was great to have Rudy back in the Summertown area in recent years.   I'm sorry he wasn't able to stay with us longer, but he was always a positive and grateful presence.

What a wonderful person Roddy is, was,  whatev. He is a total sweetheart. 

I had a wonderful time with him whenever I thought of him.  

He puts a big fat smile on my face, always. 

You Knoops always brightened my day 

(And still do.)

Please send all of you wonderful Knoops my best wishes, and maybe we’ll meet again. 

With all my heart,

Stephen Grob

Great Barrington, MA

My deep respect to all of Rudy's loved ones. I am grateful to all who loved him and who gave his life the deep meaning and purpose he always tried to manifest.

In 2000, Rudy rescued my family of four when we ran into trouble resettling ourselves in Round Valley.  We parked our small RV in his carport and house-sat for him when he went away on flooring jobs.  He was amazingly generous, allowing us to stay 3 months longer than expected, crowding his small house, while we waited for a mess to resolve at our new rental next door.  

Without Rudy we would not have been able to stay in Round Valley.  Without Rudy's contributions to the Farm our two home births in the 1980's supported by the book, Spiritual Midwifery might not have been successful. Without Rudy's introduction, my best friend in the 2020's, Robin, and I might never have met. 

With sadness, gratitude and joy.

Rudy I will miss you my greatest of friends.  The conversations we had outstanding.  You liked me helping out in Covelo and thanked me alot for the contributions.  Our conversations were always pretty deep.  I could always look forward to your research of things versus just stating something.  You are Angel that will be missed.

My condolences to Rudy’s family and friends

Having been a fellow "Farmie" there is a certain bond that we all shared in our collective vision of a better world, with relationships created 50 years ago.  Rudy and I shared very recently our passion for helping victims of genocide in Gaza and we strategized together trying to find ways to send aid to well-known journalist, Bisan, in Gaza. We both shared that passion to help. I am grateful to have had that connection with Rudy in this way. Rest well, friend.