36-year credit union veteran Larry Knoll, remembered

At Cornerstone League, we’re proud of our members’ professional advancements and milestones. We take pleasure in posting significant news. We also memorialize individuals who have contributed greatly to the credit union movement.

In Memoriam: Larry Knoll

Lawrence "Larry" Duane Knoll, of Denton, passed away Nov. 15 at The Harrison at Heritage in Fort Worth. He was 75. 

Knoll retired after 36 years as the chief executive officer of four credit unions. His obituary notes that he had surely found the work he loved to do. He was innovative, a problem solver, and well-known at the Credit Union National Association.

He began his career at Dillons Employees Credit Union in Hutchinson, Kansas in 1974, and also served as CEO for 66 FCU, (now Truity Credit Union), Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, and Midwest Financial Credit Union.

Throughout his career, Knoll was involved with not only CUNA, but many state leagues. After Midwest, he worked with the Credit Union Association of New Mexico and NCUA to save several credit unions from failing and put them on a successful path forward, rounding out his career.  

Among his accomplishments, Knoll served on numerous boards and shared his industry expertise, including:

• Filene Research Institute, chairman and founding member
• Prime Alliance, director
• Credit Union Corp, director
• Institute of Certified Credit Union Executives, Distinguished Fellow, past member board of directors
• Speaker and instructor at national credit union schools and conferences
• CUNA School, Class of 1979, Madison, Wis.
  

In addition, Knoll received his bachelor's degree at Fort Hays University in Hays, Kan. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served in the U.S. Army National Guard.

After his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, Knoll shifted his energies toward helping people fight and learn how to live with the disease. He was instrumental in starting the Rock Steady Boxing Program in the Robson Ranch community where he lived in Denton, Texas. He also helped start a Parkinson’s support group and instilled in many the importance of T’ai Chi.

Knoll loved his family and friends, traveling, and helping others. Throughout his life, he exemplified the credit union philosophy of people helping people. He helped many to realize their full leadership potential and was a larger-than-life personality that had a huge impact on those he met.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dallas Area Parkinson Society, 6310 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy, #213, Dallas, TX 75240, or online at daps.org.