Richard Walter Rev. Knapp

Reverend Richard Walter Knapp, 90, of Janesville, Wisconsin, formerly of Livingston, Montana passed away Friday, March 7, 2014 at St. Marys Care Center in Madison, Wisconsin. A Funeral Service will be held 2 pm, Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston, Montana followed by burial at Mountain View Cemetery also in Livingston. Richard was born on July 17, 1923 in Kalispell, Montana. He was the son of Richard and Louise (Cole) Knapp. He graduated in 1941 from Flathead High School, Kalispell, Montana. He furthered his education at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, Massachusetts and graduated with a B.A. degree in Theology in 1949. Richard entered active military service in the United States Army on March 16, 1943 and served his country during World War II. He was overseas for 24 months with the 226th Medical Dispensary (Aviation) in the China, Burma, and India Theater. He received an honorable discharge on January 16, 1946 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. On January 18, 1946, Richard was united in marriage to Fern Wilhelmsen in Northampton, Massachusetts. This marriage was blessed with one daughter. Richard and Fern resided in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Montana, and Wisconsin. They shared 58 years of marriage. Richard was employed by the Seventh-day Adventist church as a pastor for 63 years. He worked full-time from 1949 to 1985. After his "retirement" in 1985, he continued to work as an SDA pastor until he moved to Wisconsin in 2012. Richard loved people most of all. He also enjoyed the beauty of nature, reading, especially the Bible, traveling, and good food. The time he spent with his daughter and her husband was special. His grandson was a treasured joy. His friends made his world wonderful. His church family was always close to his heart. Blessed be his memory. Richard is survived by: his daughter, Fernell Knapp Krull and her husband, Kenneth, of Janesville, Wisconsin; his grandson, K. R., of Janesville, Wisconsin; his sister, Betty Van der Vlugt of Rocklin, California; and many other relatives and friends. Richard was preceded in death by: his parents, Richard and Louise Knapp; his brothers, Henry Knapp and Robert Knapp; and his wife, Fern Knapp. Arrangements are under the direction of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.