Obituary of Erik Knowlden

Erik "Rik" Knowlden, age 62, died on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Born in New Rochelle, NY he had resided in Pearl River, NY and Jersey City, NJ before moving to Somerville, NJ. Rik graduated high school in 1971, and went to Hofstra University where he played soccer and received his BS in Environmental Biology in 1975. He then attended Rutgers Law School in Camden and received his degree in 1978. Rik practiced law with Dewey Ballentine in NY then as the Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor, later joining Chubb Insurance. Rik worked for AIG in Berkeley Heights for the last 25 years, first as a case coordinator then as Division President. In his spare time he enjoyed baseball and playing his guitar. He collected CD's and truly loved all music with a focus on Classic Rock. Survived by his wife Joy Jacobs Knowlden; his brother Ethan and his wife Leanne; a nephew Cole; his loyal companion Bebe; and his lifelong friends Ken Fordyce, Tom Weber and Al Ferro. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 3-4 p.m. followed by a 4 p.m. memorial service at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ 07069 In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: The American Heart Association, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, PO Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005