Fred Knittle, Young@Heart: 1925 – 2009
By Craig Kennedy - January 2nd, 2009; 4:12 pm
Fix You
Fred Knittle who survived World War II to gain late-life fame as a member of the Young@Heart Chorus, lost a brief battle with cancer on Thursday. Central to some of the most memorable moments in Stephen Walker’s documentary on the group, the 83-year-old is survived by his wife, 4 children and 12 grandchildren.
The above scene (minus the German subtitles) was one of my favorite moments at the cinema in 2008.
Source: USA Today
Filed under: Obituaries
Tags: Fred Knittle, Young@Heart
Aw, I just saw this film earlier this week and I feel in love with it.
The eulogy he wrote for himself is wonderful, I hope it gets read.
His version of “Fix You” made me cry.
Oh, how sad. His “Fix You” was brilliant and his voice reminded me of my grandad’s. I’m so glad he got to be immortalized in the film before he died, and glad I got to see it. What a talent.
Yes, that’s sad news indeed. I’m glad he got to spend one last holiday with his family though.
Very sad news. His rendition of “Fix You” was one of the most moving scenes in any film this year. The film and the song are a fitting tribute.
I havent even seen Young@Heart (I hate myself for that fact) but his “Fix You” is amazing. RIP.
I agree that it’s at least wonderful he got the final holiday in. FIX IT made you cry. Very very sad news.
It makes me sad and yet…like you all say, at least he spent his last years being awesome.
Surprising that cancer got him and not his heart.
Everyone that has seen Y@H knows what an inspiration Fred was. He was certainly a sweet, lovely gentleman…and wonderfully talented as well.
Fred was a supremely special person. He will be missed. But he lived a long, rewarding life – and will be immortalized through this terrific film.
RIP, Fred.
What kind of comment is “surprising cancer got him and not his heart”? Let’s forget the fact that the man has passed, and that he has a family who is grieving. If you had taken a moment to think before posting that comment Mr. Kennedy, you would have realized that Fred’s heart kept him going. The love he had for his family, Y@h, etc.
I may have worded it poorly Kristin, but I wasn’t intending to be callous. The man suffered congestive heart failure and when I learned he had died, I assumed that would be the cause.
To find out he was stricken with cancer on top of that speaks to the cruelty of death and I thought it worth commenting.
AS IF Craig would EVER have intended to offend anyone regarding Fred’s unfortunate passing…
Craig passionately loved Y@H and the people in it. He was also one of the very first individuals – that I was aware of – to champion that film last year. Let’s just say he has considerably more class than some people.
Sure seem to be a lot of trolls around lately.
Hmmm. Interesting.
I wonder where they’re all coming from, Craig…?
(whispers) Trollsylvania?
Ha ha. You never know, honey…
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.
:(
RIP, Fred. A truly poignant moment in a stunning and touching film.
On a (somewhat) similar note, that I don’t think was ever mentioned here, Mike Bell, who was featured in Bigger, Stronger, Faster*, died last month at the age of 37, most likely due to steroid-related heart failure.
But anyways, RIP Fred.
Long years ago when I was W. Ma. correspondent for the Boston Globe, I did a number of stories about Clarke School for the Deaf. Fred was the pr director and we had many a conversation. I was thrilled to watch him inYoung at Heart and was hoping he was still alive so I could tell him how much I enjoyed the show and especially his performance. I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
Thank you for sharing that, Jean. I wish the video link still worked because that performance chokes me up every time.