Ralph “Tad” Candler Heisel Knutsen
March 15, 1944 ~ July 10, 2023
Ralph “Tad” Candler Heisel Knutsen, of Delray Beach, Florida, died on July 10, 2023 at the age of 79. While born in New Orleans, LA, Tad lived nearly all of his life in and around Delray Beach, FL. Tad was a graduate of Seacrest High School, and attended The University of Florida, Florida State University and FAU. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea, and returned to Delray Beach in 1968, where he started a family, and a landscaping business which he would continue in Palm Beach County for nearly 50 years. While athletic and adventurous, Tad was also a lover and student of nature, the ocean, poetry, literature and music, and was a gifted writer and member of the Writers Guild of America. Mr. Knutsen was a long-time member of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach, and donated his time and efforts to various ministries and causes, including Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Partners in Ministry, Kairos Prison Ministry, and AA. Tad treasured his time as a grandfather, and was lovingly nicknamed “GrandTad” by his grandchildren.
Tad is predeceased by his parents, Ralph Johan Heisel Knutsen and Ruth Welborn Jones Knutsen, and is survived by his daughters, Christine Kim Westine (John) and Maria Mija Knutsen-Pugh (Willard) and their mother Kim Kyong-Cha Teza (James), his sisters Dianne Elise “Dede” Olson (Robert) and Patrice Bean (Buster), and his grandchildren John Ganson Westine II, Grayson Kim Westine, Chloe Lois Pugh, Marin Elise Westine, and Willow Kyong-Cha Pugh. Tad is also survived by a beloved aunt and uncle, and many treasured nieces, nephews and cousins living in Georgia and throughout the US.
Please join his family and friends in prayer and remembrance at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, 3300 S. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL 33435 on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, Tad requested that donations be made to his dear friend’s (Dr. John Roland Westine, decd.) charitable organization, IFCCD, 250 Dixie Blvd, Suite, 100, Delray Beach, FL 33444, www.ifccd.org.
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Patrice & Buster Bean - Sister
July 20, 2023, 12:44 pm
Rest, brother Tad. Your final adventure has begun! Much love and many condolences to your beautiful human legacies…the Pugh and Westine families.
Danny Krieger - Barefoot brother
July 20, 2023, 4:06 pm
R.I.P. to a fellow beach bum , waterman, diver and wild man. I always like Tad, he taught me a lot about diving. You always waited for what’s next, with him around.
William Kruse - Friend
July 20, 2023, 8:50 pm
Tad you will be missed by many in Boynton and Delray. Always ready to give a helping hand. A good friend no matter how long it has been since getting together. You have a great heart and I know you are in a good place.
Michael Douglas Olson - Nephew
July 21, 2023, 12:31 am
I so much cherish my time with you as a young man in Florida and in Georgia I’m thankful you were able to meet my son Evan. Your nephew Michael Olson.
Michael Douglas Olson - Nephew
July 21, 2023, 12:33 am
I enjoyed the time I spent with you and my teens in Florida and Georgia I’m glad you’re able to meet my son Evan. Rest in peace
Timothy Bouie - Friend
July 21, 2023, 12:38 am
My sponsor and mentor, my source of inspiration may Tad rest in perfect peace. Condolences to the family.
Trish Rowland - Friend
July 21, 2023, 1:34 am
Rest In Peace, Tad. God bless your family.
Dede Knutsen Olson - Sister
July 21, 2023, 2:25 pm
You were first my brother, as a child my hero and as adults a friend. I loved you then and will forever . And now face to face you know Amazing Grace. Blessings on your girls, “grands” and all who loved you on this side. Thanks for the memories. See ya later gator.
Brigette Killion - Neice
July 21, 2023, 3:01 pm
Tina and Maria – I send love and thoughts of peace to you and your families.
Mom (Dede) and Patrice – I’m so glad that you have each other to keep his memory alive
Uncle Tad – I wish I had known you better, but I enjoyed the times we spent together. May the Universe welcome you and give you the answers you need.
Lynn MacMillan Denney - Friend
July 21, 2023, 11:17 pm
My parents and Tad’s were friends and Tad was in my class and was always an impressive presence. I remember his skipping Latin class and the next day was asked to stand and translate a difficult passage because our notorious teacher wasn’t happy. He stood up and flawlessly performed much to her chagrin! That was Tad. A deep thinker at a very young age and was always searching for the big truths in life. I saw him not so long ago and that sweet smile was still disarming.
May you rest in peace, Dear Lovely Tad…
Lynn MacMillan Denney
Lisen Seiler - Friend
July 23, 2023, 12:16 am
Tad….
A long and great friend of our father. Your love of the Seagrape and brushratting memories. We all were honored to share the time here with you.
Condolences to your family.
Lily van halen - Friend
July 23, 2023, 12:50 pm
I will see you on the other side my friend… I love you , lily
Patsy and Gene Smith - Maternal Aunt and Uncle
July 24, 2023, 4:45 pm
Remembering the excitement of meeting you, Tad, almost immediately after your grand entrance into this world, with all of your aunts, Big Mama and Big Daddy ready to welcome you with hearts full of love and anticipation. As your only remaining aunt I know without a doubt they are there to welcome you home. Go in Peace and enjoy your reunion! Our love and prayers go with you. Thanks be to God!
Our love and prayers are with the beautiful family Tad was so very proud of, his daughters and grandchildren and his sisters, my nieces Dede(Bob) and Patrice (Buster) and their families and friends who loved him!
We will be with you in Spirit on August 5th
Lucy Belt - Friend
July 25, 2023, 3:05 am
Tom and I are so grateful to have had pleasure of knowing you and being your friend, Tad!
You were always interested in discovering new adventures and asking questions about faith and about how to follow Jesus more closely. We so enjoyed your sense of humor as well. We appreciate how you cared about folks who might be in need and also how you served the Lord in the prisons in Florida. And, you were so faithful to attend the Partners in Ministry conferences in Toccoa whenever you could. We miss you and we will see you again one day. Thanks for the memories.
Holley Moyes - Friend
July 31, 2023, 12:20 pm
A sensitive soul
A creative spirit
A talented poet
A generous nature
A perpetual seeker
A valued old friend
Our shared memories remain with me always Tad. I will take good care of them.
Maria seiler - Friend
August 5, 2023, 7:50 pm
A good friend all my life. I have know Tad since first grade. He was a lover of natural and was a fine poet. Remembering his ode to a crow that he saw sitting on a wire one day on his way to school. So eloquent for such a young man. When I sent Don Seiler’s, a good friend his, art work to the Smithsonian one of his pomes went there as well . Always in my heart Tad. God Bless.