Doug Knoll. (Funk's Funeral Home)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Community Figure

Former Rosthern Mayor passes away nearly 10 years after leaving office

Aug 19, 2022 | 12:04 PM

The town of Rosthern is mourning the loss of one of its former mayors.

Doug Knoll passed away on Aug. 9 at the community’s Mennonite Nursing Home. He was 75 years old.

The former teacher entered the world of politics in 1997 when he was elected as a councillor for the town. It didn’t take him long to become mayor as he was elected in 2002, serving for 10 years.

Dennis Helmuth, Rosthern’s current mayor, spent all 15 years of Knoll’s political career alongside him on the town’s council.

He told paNOW he’ll always remember just how focused Knoll was on every single detail for all projects.

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“He loved understanding how things work and how things could work, he was really a math and science kind of guy.”

Helmuth joked that many times the town’s administration would have to cut Knoll off so the meeting could continue.

Over the 15 years, the two took part in around 500 meetings together.

Helmuth was also the one to take on the role of mayor after Knoll. He explained he learned a lot about the job from just spending time with his predecessor.

“I learned from him, hopefully carrying the tradition forward.”

He explained he also received some advice from Knoll when he was first elected, mostly what to be prepared for, but also, ironically, to keep his speeches short.

Meanwhile, Rosthern’s current council actually has a Knoll on it.

Doug’s son, Brett, is serving as one of the town’s six councillors.

Helmuth has noticed that Brett has one thing in common with his dad that’s hard to miss.

“He loves this town, and he wants to contribute and that was certainly his dad’s perspective.”

A celebration of Doug’s life is being held at Rosthern’s Community Multi-Purpose Centre on Aug. 19. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to different local charities.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow