Herbert Fritz Knape, age 96, of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away on May 4, 2019. He was born December 24, 1922 to John and Mayme (Fritz) Knape in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was a lifelong parishioner of Saint Stephen’s parish, the same church where he married the love of his life, Glenna Setchfield. The two celebrated their 70th Anniversary on February 12, 2019.
Herb graduated from Ottawa Hills High School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was an accomplished and well respected mechanical engineer. His career included serving in the US Army, working for Jarecki Engineering, and working at Knape and Vogt manufacturing. In 1965, Herb founded his own business, Knape Industries Inc. in Rockford, Michigan. Herb had a creative, active mind and built many things over the years both at the plant and for his family including his house, the “party boat,” a converted car called the “Ververtible” for his grandkids, and many other innovations.
Most important in Herb‘s life were his wife and family. He instilled the love for adventure in all seven children, teaching them to swim, ski, and sail. He loved his grandchildren and treasured spending time with them at regattas, sporting events, and frequent family gatherings. An avid sailor, Herb was a lifetime member of the Grand Rapids Yacht Club and the Spring Lake Yacht Club. He skippered scows nearly every weekend of the summer, with family members as crew, until he was well into his eighties. Herb also loved electronic and mechanical toys and was happy to share them side-by-side with his grandkids.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Glenna , his children, Judy and Bryan Lane, Mary Lou Knoch, John and Lucy Knape, Jim and Eva Knape, Bill and Cindy Knape, Betsy and Jerry Anderson, and Bob and Colleen Knape; 15 grandchildren and nine step grandchildren, and six great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Teddy Knape, daughter-in-law Barbara Plonski Knape, and son-in-law Bruce Knoch; sisters and spouses Gerry and David Getzoff, Charlotte and Matt Andrea, Winnifred Knape, Millie and Bill Smolenski, and Mary Ellen and Bob Thomas.
The family wishes to thank the many caregivers from Homewatch and Amy Johnson for all their kindness and compassionate care, allowing Herb to remain at home with Glenna in comfort and happiness.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, May 7 from 4 to 7PM at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, with a rosary at 4:30PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, May 8, at 10:30AM at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr SE, Grand Rapids visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Stephen’s School, 740 Gladstone Ave Se, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 or the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, 185 Oakes St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
4 Responses
Dearest Knape Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss Herb, what a Fantastic man he was. I will forever remember his smile and kind words, and the many adventures shared at SLYC. And after all the years our family’s spent at SLYC, I have to say there are Hundreds, if not thousands of wonderful memories to always hold dear. You are all in my Thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Bruce J. Burnside
Herb Knape was an absolute pleasure to know and to work with. The grandest of men. You Knapes are so fortunate to have shared his long, lovely life.
My condolences to the Knape family, and everyone who had the pleasure to know Herb. It would be a better world if we could all be admired as much as Herb.
What a great neighbor, friend and Family! The VanderVeens were fortunate to sail, ice skate and water ski with the Knape Family!
Herb Knape was an excellent entrepreneur. He was a terrific sailor. He instilled the love of water and our Great Lakes in his family and friends.