On August 15, 2016 Samuel Knochs, Jr., 89, passed away peacefully of natural causes in Grand Rapids, MI with his only son by his side. He was preceded in death by his spouse of 49 years, Lily, and is survived by his son Samuel and his wife Anita and granddaughter Mara from Grand Rapids, MI., and two nephews; Loid Jekels, and Jerry Dzerens,and their families in Pennsylvania. Sam Jr. was born in the town of Aizpute in Latvia December 17, 1926. He was the oldest son of the late Zamuels and Olga (Grosse) Knochs. As a child he enjoyed playing the trombone in school and spent his summers living with family friends at their farm. As a teen, he fled the Soviet occupation of Latvia during WWII and lived in displaced persons camps in Germany for several years. During this time he received his high school diploma before emigrating to the United States of America. He lived in Pennsylvania and received his Bachelors degree in chemistry from Muhlenberg College. On September 23, 1953 Sam Jr. married Lily E. Trebo, also a WWII refugee from Latvia. Throughout his career, Sam Jr. worked as a research chemist for Trojan Powders, Air Products and Chemicals, Bethlehem Steel and lastly for the JT Baker Chemical Company. He published several research papers before retiring at age 70 and remained an active member of the American Chemical society. He was instrumental in modernizing the learning and research materials for the University of Latvia's chemistry department for which he received an honorary degree. Sam Jr. was a member of the Latvian Lutheran Church in Quakertown, PA serving as a board secretary for many years, he was a member of the Latvian fraternity Beveronia and he was a founding member of the Latvian summer high school "Beverina" near Quakertown, PA. A memorial service will be held at a future date in Quakertown, PA with internment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MI.