March 5, 1940 — March 18, 2019

Keith Roland Knapp, 79, born March 5, 1940, passed away March 18, 2019. He passed away at Buchanan Meadows Assisted Living, Buchanan.

Keith was born in Clearwater, Nebraska, to Robert and Nolma Dohse Knapp.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sue Ann Brannock Knapp, and two siblings, Robert E. Knapp (Betty), of Omaha, Nebraska, and Cindy Knapp McGee, of Austin, Texas. He was preceded in death by sister Eloise Knapp Elsberry, Neligh, Nebraska, brothers, Wayne Knapp and James Knapp (Donna), of Clearwater, Nebraska and Terry Knapp (Nancy), of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Keith graduated from Neligh High School in June 1957. His family vacationed that summer to visit his mother’s many relatives in and around Edwardsburg. Keith was the first of six siblings to attend college. That was always his goal. His aunt and uncle, Opal and Harry Proctor, offered him room and board to work on their farm outside of Edwardsburg to save money for college. Keith stayed in Michigan that summer and spent a year earning his tuition to Western Michigan University. During the next four years he continued to work on the farm and in the mobile home industry to finance his college education.

He graduated from WMU in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science majoring in math and physics. He then enrolled in Michigan State University in their graduate program for a Master’s degree in Mathematics. His graduate studies were interrupted by the Vietnam War.

Keith and Sue were married on April 22, 1965, at the Fort Wolters Army Base in Mineral, Texas. He was called to complete his required two years of service in the army. As a First Lieutenant, he led a platoon of soldiers building landing pads and runways for military aircraft. After his service in Vietnam, he returned to MSU to Complete his Degree.

His first employment upon graduation was to join a team at TRW Systems, contractors of NASA, working on the Apollo Space Program and specifically the moon landing. After four years working near the Johnson Space Center Keith and Sue moved to the west side of Houston and for the next 30 years he sold high-end research computer systems to universities, research centers, and the aerospace industry. He sold throughout the southwest from his base in Houston and Austin, Texas. He started with Control Data Corporation in 1972 and ended his career with Hewlett Packard in 2002.

Keith’s outside interests were his private aircraft, a Grumman Tiger, and the building of boats; a 32-foot pontoon houseboat and later the interior of a 75-foot cruiser. Keith and Sue spent 35 years of recreation on the incredible reservoir, Lake Travis, Austin, Texas.

At Keith’s request, his family would like to acknowledge the following resident’s past and present from Edwardsburg and the surrounding area who helped Keith transition from Clearwater, Nebraska to a farm outside of Edwardsburg; his cousins, Junior Proctor, Jim Roberts, John Dohse, Alice Dohse, his lifelong friend John Dalrymple (wife Sally), John’s parents, Harry and Mildred Dalrymple, Harold, Wilma and Sylvia Harp.

A graveside service will be held at a later date. Keith’s final resting place will be in the Adamsville Cemetery, Edwardsburg. The family prefers donations being made in Keith’s name to your local animal rescue organization.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.