West Hebron-Eric Paul (Rick) Knettel, age 55, of West Hebron, NY, died November 27, 2017 in Granville, NY, from renal failure. He was born October 5, 1962, in Rockville Centre, NY, the younger son of Edward J. Knettel and Billie-Jean Knettel. He received his Diploma from Chaminade High School in Mineola NY in 1980 and his bachelor's degree from Hofstra University in 1985. His lifelong interests were music and English literature. He moved to West Hebron in 1991 and lived there until his death. He is survived by an older brother, Anthony J. (Sandy) Knettel. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Holy Cross Church, 249 North Main Street, Salem with Rev. Robert Powhida officiating.  A calling hour will be 1 hour prior to the mass at the church.

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Salem. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Alport Syndrome Foundation, an organization that supports patients with genetic kidney disorders.