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Pat was Mel’s muse, partner, sounding board, and encourager.

They met in high school, playing clarinet together in band. Fast forward a few years.  Mel was trying to decide what to choose as a career.  Pat suggested music.  So that’s what he did.

Fast forward a couple of years, Erin, Tracy, and Cory, and a lot of barbershop music.  Pat loved living in Lebanon. However, she picked up and moved to Wisconsin so that Mel could pursue barbershop singing as a career.  Fast forward a couple of years.  Pat told Mel he needed to apply for the Director of Music Education and Services position.  So that’s what he did.

Then they retired and moved back to Oregon and traveled the world together. When Pat died, Mel put her rings on a necklace and wore them for the rest of his life.

Mel and Pat not only loved their children and grandchildren, they enjoyed them.

They leave behind a great family:

     Erin Knight and Mark Haag

     Tracy and Joel Forbess

     Cory and RoseAnn Knight

     Four grandsons: Austin Haag, Garrett Haag, Zachary Knight and Nathan        Knight   and 

     brother Dick and wife Wendy.

 

Mel’s words to live by:  He never wanted to disappoint Pat.