MONTROSE - Bernard M. Knapp, Age 87, of Montrose, Colo., passed away Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 at the San Juan Living Center in Montrose. Bernard was born Oct. 2, 1922 to Milton and Agnes (Houser) Knapp at Colby, Kan. The family moved to Alamosa, Colo. in 1938 from Westcliffe, Colo. and he graduated from Alamosa High School. Bernard served his country in the United States Navy during WWII on the Armed Merchant Vessel as a gunner in the Pacific. Bernard received American Area Campaign Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Ribbon, European-African-Middle-East Ribbon with two bronze Stars and Good Conduct Medal. He married Mary Owens at Oatman, Ariz. on April 8, 2000 and she survives. He was previously married to Dolores (Mauth) Knapp on July 3, 1946 in Taos, N.M. for 52 years and she preceded him in death on Dec. 26, 1998. Bernard had resided in Alamosa, working for the Colorado State Highway Department and retired in 1985. Following his retirement, he would winter and volunteered for 17 years with the Department of Interior at Katherine Landing Campground in Bullhead City, Ariz. Bernard was a lifetime member of Alamosa BPOE 1257 and the VFW Post #7968, Apache Junction, Ariz. Bernard was an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed camping. He spent summers fishing at the Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison, Colo. Bernard loved dancing and country music. He was always eager to repair or fix just about anything. He was definitely “one of a kind.” He is loved and remembered by family and all who knew him in many ways; especially his beautiful, mischevious, sparkling, blue, blue eyes, the good humor, sensitivity and his smile. Bernie will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Knapp of the family home in Montrose; daughter, Carol (Walt) Kaskalavich; brother, Neal (Pat) Knapp all of Alamosa; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, along with numerous nieces and nephews; special hunting and fishing buddies, Roland Martin and nephew, Larry Owens; special family friend, Lawrence Crowder and also the family members of wife, Mary. Bernard was preceded in death by a son, Richard, first wife, Dolores, parents, brother, sister and a grandson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Colorado, in memory of Bernard Knapp, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402. At Bernard’s request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service and inurnment will be held in Alamosa at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado.
• Be respectful of others, the writer and the subjects in the story.
• Be relevant. Keep your comments on point.
• See the guidelines for TalkAbout. Perhaps your comment is best for that community forum, available from the home page, instead of commenting on a particular story.
Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. Montrose Press is not liable for messages from third parties.
DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in montrosepress.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Montrose Press. Montrose Press does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Montrose Press spokespersons.
Thank you for your comments!