Bobby Allan Knapp, 65, of Anita, IA gained his heavenly wings Friday, December 17, 2021, at home with his family.
Bob was born May 30, 1956, in Albert Lea, MN to Orville and Phyllis (Love) Knapp. He graduated from Adair-Casey schools with the class of 1975. During his Junior year, he was busy running the football field and meeting Joni Kaufmann whom he married on August 2, 1975, at the United Methodist Church in Anita. Bob was a John Deere man who worked as a mechanic at Faga Implement and later a farmhand for Jorgensen Farms. Bob became a father to Deena in 1978 and to Daniel in 1980.
When he wasn’t busy loving his wife, raising his kids or working, Bob enjoyed most things outdoors – farming, camping, hunting, fishing, and golfing. He loved cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and Iowa Hawkeyes while drinking a Pepsi and eating a bowl of ice cream. His service for the Adair Volunteer Fire Department spanned almost 40 years as he responded to nearly every call. Ten days before his passing, he was re-elected as a Trustee of the Fire department. Bob was known as a helper; there wasn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for others. And he was often right where people were in need as he loved to drive around in his truck looking over the Iowa farmland.
Left to treasure his memories and carry on his legacy of service are his beloved wife, Joni of Anita, daughter Deena (Kael) Godwin and their daughter Kirstyn of Washougal, WA, and son Daniel (Brittany) Knapp and their children Presli, Audri, Daxon, and Daisi of Tulsa, OK. Bob will be watching over his grandson, Dekker Allan, as he enters the world in Spring 2022. Bob is also survived by his brother Jacob Knapp of Belen, New Mexico, his sister Linda (Melvin) Petersen of Brayton, IA; his brother Philip Knapp of Walnut, IA; his sister Patti Knapp of Wiota, IA; his brother-in-law Joe (Ellen) Kaufmann of Anita, IA; his father- and mother-in-law Marion and Jerry Kaufmann of Atlantic, IA; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and a community of friends.
Preceded in death are his parents, brother Dean, sister Carolyn, sister-in-law Kim (Knapp), and nephew, Gary Knapp.
Open visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 21 from 4-5 pm, with family present from 5-8 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Anita, IA. Funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 22 at the Adair Fire Hall in Adair, IA. Burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, IA. In honor of Bob’s love of desserts, a sweet treat will be enjoyed after the committal service at the Adair Fire Hall.
Memorials may be directed to the Knapp family and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home (P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022).
