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# Prominent Restauranteur passes at 73
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/prominent-restauranteur-passes-at-73/
- Published: 2005-05-09T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T07:00:00.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

Well known founder and owner, Norbert E. Knoll, of Knoll’s Black Forest Restaurant, died Monday, May 2, 2005\. He was 73.

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, he and his wife Hildegard, came to the U.S. in December 1958, settling in Santa Monica. They opened their first restaurant on 124 Santa Monica Boulevard on February 2nd, 1960\. In 1982 they moved the restaurant to a larger space on 2454 Wilshire Boulevard. After 22 years at that location they closed the Black Forest and retired in March 2004.

Knoll was a member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the California Restaurant Association and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to his beloved wife and business partner of 44 years, Hildegard, he is survived by his loving son Ronald (wife Kristin) and cherished grandsons, Kyle, Nicholas, Hayden and Justin.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 725 California Ave, in Santa Monica, Thursday May 12TH, at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to: John Wayne Cancer Institute at St. John’s Health Center St. John’s Health Center St. Monica’s Church S.M.A.S.H. Program

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 9, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050905.pdf?ref=smdp.com)