Knoebels Icon Remembered
Longtime Knoebels President Dick Knoebel, Architect of Park's Growth, Dies at 87
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Knoebel earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Geophysics from Lehigh University and served as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962 to 1965, later remaining involved as a captain in the Marine Corps Reserve.
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Under his leadership Knoebels expanded its amenities beyond rides, including the Lake Glory Campground, Three Ponds Golf Course, Nickel Plate Bar & Grill, and growth of the Crystal Pool and campground operations.
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He left a family-focused legacy with survivors including two sons, Rick and Brian; his wife Barbara died in 2009, and he was also survived by four granddaughters and siblings.
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Brian Knoebel, the park’s current president, recalled the personal touch behind his father’s work, saying, 'With his last breath, he did everything he could to make Knoebels the greatest destination on Earth.'
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Beyond Knoebels, Knoebel held leadership roles with the Pennsylvania Amusement Parks & Attractions (PAPA) and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and was inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame in 2014.
Richard 'Dick' Knoebel, the longtime president of Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, has died at age 87. He led the family-owned park from 1988 to 2025 — nearly four decades — before stepping into the role of president emeritus, according to WNEP.
His son Brian, the park's current president, summed up his father's drive simply: 'With his last breath, he did everything he could to make Knoebels the greatest destination on Earth.' Under Dick Knoebel's watch, the park grew into one of America's top-rated family amusement destinations while keeping its rare free-admission policy intact, Daily Voice reported.
From Marine Corps Officer to Amusement Park Legend
Dick Knoebel was born into the family behind the park but built his own path before joining it. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Geophysics from Lehigh University. He then served as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962 to 1965. He later stayed on as a captain in the Marine Corps Reserve, according to WNEP.
He formally took the helm as park president in 1988 and held that role for 37 years. In 2025, he transitioned to president emeritus. His wife Barbara died in 2009. He is survived by sons Rick and Brian, four granddaughters, and his siblings, Daily Voice reported.
Iconic Rides and a Growing Park Built on His Watch
Dick Knoebel oversaw the addition of some of the park's most beloved attractions. These include the Phoenix wooden roller coaster, Twister, Flying Turns, Haunted Mansion, and Black Diamond. Each ride helped cement Knoebels as a destination for coaster fans across the country, according to Wildwood Video Archive.
He also expanded the park far beyond rides. Growth under his leadership included the Lake Glory Campground, Three Ponds Golf Course, Nickel Plate Bar and Grill, and a larger Crystal Pool. The park's campground operations grew significantly during his tenure, Carnival Warehouse noted.
A Free-Admission Model That Set Knoebels Apart
Most amusement parks charge just to walk through the gate. Knoebels does not. Dick Knoebel protected that free-admission model throughout his entire presidency. Guests pay only for the rides and food they choose. That policy has long been a key part of the park's identity and appeal to families on a budget.
The approach worked. Knoebels grew into a nationally recognized destination, drawing visitors from across the country. The park's community-focused style — no parking fees, no admission charge — remained unchanged under his nearly four decades of leadership, Wildwood Video Archive reported.
IAAPA Hall of Fame Honors a Life in the Industry
Dick Knoebel's influence went beyond his own park. He held leadership roles with the Pennsylvania Amusement Parks and Attractions association and with IAAPA — the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the industry's top global group. In 2014, IAAPA inducted him into its Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors in the business, Carnival Warehouse reported.
The Knoebel family and park staff remembered him as someone who cared deeply about both guests and employees. His legacy, they said, is a park that feels personal — not corporate. Brian Knoebel now leads the resort, carrying forward a tradition his father shaped over nearly four decades, according to WNEP.
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