|
Climbers For Peace |
|
| Steve Knaze | |
www.StephenDominicKnaze.com Tribune Democrat Newspaper Article 
|
Some call him "the Slovak Prince!"
Steve is a charter member of Climbers for Peace which is a federation of American, Ukrainian and other people from various countries who believe that some of the major problems in the world rest not with its people but with their individual governments. This organization promotes peaceful relations for all human beings. Being extremely proud of his Slavic heritage, Steve loves to travel to the land of his ancestors, Slovakia, where he has contact with numerous relatives and he spends a considerable amount of his time there and in Ukraine where he has a second home. A son, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, grandfather, businessman, mentor, handyman, wise-guy and friend, this avid adventurer is a character who loves traveling the world, practicing his Russian and Slovak language skills, climbing big mountains, big game hunting, fishing, dancing, playing chess & billiards, riding his motorcycle, socializing and entertaining his friends with tall tales of his colorful life. His passion for the outdoors began in his youth as a Boy Scout in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. After finishing high school in 1969 he became a hippie and has always been a free spirit at heart. Somewhat of a Bohemian, Steve had traveled extensively throughout the United States before settling in the Wine Country of Sonoma County, California. He started and owned a roofing and construction company for many years while raising two of his three children there as a single parent. After his son was born, he recognized the destructive nature of his demons stemming from his youth and became involved with 12 Step Programs where he continues to help others overcome their addiction to drugs and alcohol. Later, becoming a fitness enthusiast, he discovered high altitude mountain climbing in 1994 after reading the book "The Seven Summits" and then decided to pursue the Grand Slam of mountaineering, the climbing of all of the highest mountains on Earth's seven continents. Steve has participated in alpinism for many years and successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mt. Elbrus in Russia, Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina and Mt. McKinley in Alaska. The tasks at Mt. Everest in Asia, the Vinson Massif in Antarctica and Mt. Kosciusko in Australia are still at hand. His family, many friends and a few adversaries will attest that he knows a little something about everything, has a voracious appetite for life and tries to live his life to its fullest measure, "in the moment" and "one day at a time". He works hard and plays even harder. When "the finish line" comes, it may be said that he "left nothing on the table". Steve always says that God has been very good to him and has given him much more than he has ever deserved. |