Evel Knievel. Jan 08
Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel died in Clearwater, Florida, finally succumbing after nearly a three-year bout with the terminal lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was 69.
His death was preceded by more than 40 years of constant battle against the persistent pain of broken bones and severe trauma after jumping and crashing motorcycles like no man had ever done before. In addition, he fought to overcome the tremendous obstacles of diabetes, hepatitis C, a liver transplant, numerous surgeries and two strokes.
Knievel was born in Butte, Montana on October 17, 1938. He and his younger brother Nic were raised by paternal grandparents, Ignatius and Emma Knievel. As a young man, he was always an exceptional athlete, but certainly no saint! A childhood as a hell raiser (where he earned the 'evel' name), was followed by brief careers as a semi-pro ice hockey player, mining drill operator, hunting guide and even a burglar! One constant throughout this period, though, was a passion for motorcycles.
Knievel received his first bike, a BSA Bantam 125, at fifteen, which he raced in flat track events in his native Montana. He continued to race, even after starting up a Honda dealership in Washington in the early 1960s. As a way to promote his business, Knievel undertook what was believed to be his first performance: jumping a Honda 350 over a pair of mountain lions and a cage full of several dozen rattlesnakes. While that jump went awry, the crowd it drew convinced Knievel he had found his calling. So, in late 1965 he set up a touring stunt team - "Evel Knievel and his Motorcycle Daredevils". Knievel and his riders, including a midget, performed at various race meetings, county fairs and other events before the troupe fizzled out in mid-1966.
Knievel then struck out on his own, undertaking a series of ever-bigger jumps, until his then most famous jump when he attempted to leap the fountains at Caesar's Palace casino in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve, 1967. A crash on landing the 141ft jump put Knievel in a coma for 29 days, but it also put him on the map. A showman as much as he was a stuntman, Knievel continued to undertake death-defying jumps - with mixed results - to huge crowds for the next decade, including the famous Snake River Canyon 'Sky Cycle' jump in 1974.
Many JUST BIKES readers may recall when Knievel lead a new troupe of motorcycle daredevils, including his son Robbie and Aussie rider, Dale Buggins, when he toured Australia in 1979. In his last years, one of his greatest honors was being able to share his hometown with his fans in the celebration of his own annual event, "Evel Knievel Days."
Knievel is survived by his loyal friend and wife, Krystal Kennedy-Knievel, whom he married in 1999. She stood by his side through his greatest struggles with health until his death. He is also survived by former wife and dear friend of 38 years, Linda Bork Knievel. Though they divorced, Linda and Evel had four children: sons, Kelly and Robbie; and daughters Tracey and Alicia, plus several grandchildren. A public service for Knievel was held on December 10, followed by a private Christian burial.
More information on the life and achievements of Evel Knievel can be found at his officialwebsite: www.evelknievel.com