“Gary has served the Kenai Peninsula community to the best of his ability for decades,” he said in a post on Facebook. “Greg Bell was a dedicated Christian, family man and community member. I have flown with Greg and never felt to be in better, more safety-focused hands while in the air. We are reeling from the loss in our community. Please keep the Knopp and Bell families in your prayers.”
Bell is listed as an owner of High Adventure Air Charter. The business offers fishing, hunting and sightseeing trips. The company Friday declined to comment, but said it’s cooperating with the investigation.
Legislators mourned Knopp’s sudden death on Friday.
They described the lawmaker as a hard worker, a one-of-a-kind leader and a true Alaskan who will be missed by many.
“More than a legislator, Gary Knopp was a husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and friend. He will be tremendously missed,” said Senate President Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage.
