Ralph J "Lefty" Knohr, age 86, of W Market Street, Gratz, passed away Friday, January 20, 2012 at The Manor at Susquehanna Village, Millersburg. He was born on Wednesday, December 18, 1925, in Gratz, a son of the late Daniel Knohr and Jennie Lehr Knohr. He was a graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School and Shippensburg University. He served in the US Navy during World War II on the USS Apollo. He was a Biology and Physics teacher for many years at Upper Dauphin School District prior to his retirement. He was a member of PSERS, Gratz Historical Society, Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, and the Gratz VFW. Ralph was an avid fisherman and photographer and enjoyed the outdoors. He was a local expert in biology; many people sought out his opinion to identify various plants and animals. He was a pitcher in the former Gratz Baseball League. He was preceded in death by three brothers Louis Knohr, Alan Knohr, and Earl Knohr, and by three sisters Mary Knohr, Ruth Huntsinger, and Alice Herb. He is survived by sister Janet Evans of Germantown, TN; seven nieces and three nephews. Services were held at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, on Friday, January 27, 2012, at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Curtis Zemencik officiating. Burial was made in Union Cemetery, Gratz. Memorial contributions can be made to Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, 176 Water Company Road, Millersburg PA 17061. Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com .