William Knapp

Knapp, William D. of Greendale, October 3, 2016, age 87. Born September 22, 1929 to Ruby(Everill) and Byron in Rockford, IL. Beloved husband of 66 years to Lolita (nee Loftus). Loving father of Mary (Jim Klein), William (Jody), Susan (Jim) Burns, Kathleen (Dan Egan), Carol (Kevin) Butler, Nancy, Christopher (Patricia) and AFS daughter Elfriede Ledolter (son Johannes). Proud grandfather of Rebecca , Sarah, Angela , Patrick, Jesse, Hannah, Derek , Preston , Amelia, Steven, and Emily. Further survived by 4 great grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Dr. Knapp (PhD UW-Madison) began his career as a teacher in the Rockford, IL. area public school system. In 1965 he became the Superintendent of the Greendale WI Public Schools. He was one of those rare individuals who truly loved his job and especially the people who worked with him. For 27 years he was devoted to making the Greendale School System the best it could be. Dr. Knapp was involved in many professional and community organizations, including WIAA and WASDA, and others too numerous to list. He was an active member of the Saint Alphonsus parish. He also enjoyed working with education graduate students at UW-M and Marquette. Bill loved camping, golfing, sailing, skiing and fishing in Canada. He was an avid sports fan, attending many GHS games and always rooting for the Badgers, Brewers, and Packers. Bill and Lolita were avid world travelers. But most of all Bill loved his family and all of the Knapp family traditions especially coloring Easter eggs and being the "Greendale Santa." Bill often expressed his priorities to his family--they were family, education and work (FEW). A private memorial service was held. Memorials may be made to the Greendale Education Foundation for creation of a scholarship in his name. 6815 Southway, Greendale, WI 53129 or to the Saint Alphonsus capital campaign.