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Ivan Ellis Knapp, Jr.
May 24, 1942 ~ February 24, 2017 (age 74) 74 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Jim Davis
January 8, 2021 3:09 PM
I read of this truly great man's passing. He was my favorite teacher at Wapakoneta High School and made me a better man. The lessons he taught me have stayed with me into my 60's. I can still hear his laugh that made me feel as if my words had meaning. When I graduated, I went into the Army immediately and became one of the youngest US Army CID Special Agents. On my first leave after becoming an Agent, I went to Perry High School (where he was then principal) and thanked him for being such a great influence in my life...he still comes to mind as an incredibly 98positive influence from my past, and as Thomas Wolfe famously said. "You can't go home again", but Mr Knapp will always live on in this man's memory...rest in peace Sir
Message from Dr Peter and Janet White
March 1, 2017 11:15 AM
Our sincere condolences on the passing of your Dad. I met him when I worked at Mercer Health and had relocated from Canada. He was one of the first people I met who welcomed me with open arms ad became an instant friend. Any time I needed help with reporting a hospital Outreach event I called on him. He could always be counted on to be there and follow up with a wonderful story in the paper or on his Knapp news. Over the past 20 yrs I have met with him regarding other community Chamber events and no-one supported our community more than he did. He was a very kind man and true gentleman who I will truly miss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Message from Jean Bruns
February 28, 2017 8:42 AM
Ivan and I worked together at Ft. Recovery many years ago. He had boundless energy, considered the welfare of all the students, and always tried to do the right thing. He was one of the nicest, kindest persons I ever worked with. He approached all his jobs with abounding interest and enthusiasm....he will be missed. My condolences to the family. Go in peace, Ivan.
A candle was lit by Barb Elking
on February 27, 2017 2:00 PM
Message from Jim Zehringer
February 27, 2017 12:18 PM
Ivan was a good teacher, writer, and a true gentleman. He will be missed.
Message from Penny Mizer Bishel
February 26, 2017 6:36 PM
Mr. Knapp was truly one of a kind. He was the guidance counselor at Marion Local when I was teaching there. He was friendly and concerned about the students. May he rest in peace.
Message from Ginny Miller
February 26, 2017 9:04 AM
I knew Ivan for 22 years and thought he was a thoughtful caring man.
He will be missed.
He will be missed.
Message from Carol Rader Wheaton
February 26, 2017 8:03 AM
Mr. Knapp was my very favorite teacher of all times in the late 1960's in Wapakoneta. He always encouraged us to do our best. My sympathy to all his family.
Message from Scott Knerr
February 26, 2017 2:50 AM
"Ivan Knapp"
Hello I saw where Ivan Knapp just recently died. This triggered some old memories of my one year at Wapakoneta Senior High. Back then in our main subjects like English, math, social studies, ect. the school would break down the classes according to what they thought was your mental capabilities.
Example : English high was for the really smart kids. English medium was for the average kids. And English low was for the slow learners. I was always put in the low classes. Although the school system thought I was a slow learner I actually wasn't.
My biggest problem was I had a ever short attention span. And school for a restless kid like me was pure torture. I hated to have to sit through all those classes and it would bore me to no end. I was always doing something other then paying attention to the teacher, whether it was daydreaming, drawing, or just staring out a window.
I just barely got by by mostly getting Ds and some Cs on my report cards. But when a teacher would hit on something I was interested in I would totally immerse myself in that subject and would get As on any test or question asked on the subject. But once we would move on to a new subject I would be right back down to my Cs, Ds, and Fs.
I know this drove my teachers and parents crazy. Nobody could figure out a way to get me to apply myself. So they just kept me in all the low classes which was just fine for me because it was so easy.
I did have some teachers who would teach outside of the box. Mrs. Carter was by far my most unique teacher. I was rarely ever bored in her class because she made learning so much fun.
I had totally forgotten about Mr. Knapp until I seen he had just recently died. I only had him as a teacher for a few months because after the start of my Sophmore year he was offered the job of guidance counselor at Marion Local. This would have been the 77/78 school year.
I had Mr. Knapp for English low. Of all subjects I think I hated English most. I honestly think Mr. Knapp enjoyed the challenge of teaching us slow learners. He would tell us stories about his life and then ask us to pick out a noun or verb from his story. He would then break one of the sentences from his story down into one of those bizarre graphs that would go into adverbs ect. And finally would end it all in a test.
Once a month for two or three days he would show us a movie. A real movie not a teaching movie. I remember two that he showed us. The first was the 1966 movie " Fantastic Voyage" in which four people were shrunk down and take a voyage inside a human body. The second one was the 1960 movie " The Time Machine".
The day after viewing the movies we would be tested on what we learned. Such as " Name a proper noun from the movie?". In this way of teaching Mr. Knapp. got us interested in understanding how to break down the English language.
We were so sad to lose him so early in our school year. He made English so much fun. After he left we got a new teacher. I have long forgotten her name. But she went back to teaching in the classic way and once again my grades started to show it.
I can only imagine what a great counselor he must have been with his unique way of looking at things. I'm sure he was able to help many kids in his time. RIP Mr. Knapp you was one of the good ones.
Hello I saw where Ivan Knapp just recently died. This triggered some old memories of my one year at Wapakoneta Senior High. Back then in our main subjects like English, math, social studies, ect. the school would break down the classes according to what they thought was your mental capabilities.
Example : English high was for the really smart kids. English medium was for the average kids. And English low was for the slow learners. I was always put in the low classes. Although the school system thought I was a slow learner I actually wasn't.
My biggest problem was I had a ever short attention span. And school for a restless kid like me was pure torture. I hated to have to sit through all those classes and it would bore me to no end. I was always doing something other then paying attention to the teacher, whether it was daydreaming, drawing, or just staring out a window.
I just barely got by by mostly getting Ds and some Cs on my report cards. But when a teacher would hit on something I was interested in I would totally immerse myself in that subject and would get As on any test or question asked on the subject. But once we would move on to a new subject I would be right back down to my Cs, Ds, and Fs.
I know this drove my teachers and parents crazy. Nobody could figure out a way to get me to apply myself. So they just kept me in all the low classes which was just fine for me because it was so easy.
I did have some teachers who would teach outside of the box. Mrs. Carter was by far my most unique teacher. I was rarely ever bored in her class because she made learning so much fun.
I had totally forgotten about Mr. Knapp until I seen he had just recently died. I only had him as a teacher for a few months because after the start of my Sophmore year he was offered the job of guidance counselor at Marion Local. This would have been the 77/78 school year.
I had Mr. Knapp for English low. Of all subjects I think I hated English most. I honestly think Mr. Knapp enjoyed the challenge of teaching us slow learners. He would tell us stories about his life and then ask us to pick out a noun or verb from his story. He would then break one of the sentences from his story down into one of those bizarre graphs that would go into adverbs ect. And finally would end it all in a test.
Once a month for two or three days he would show us a movie. A real movie not a teaching movie. I remember two that he showed us. The first was the 1966 movie " Fantastic Voyage" in which four people were shrunk down and take a voyage inside a human body. The second one was the 1960 movie " The Time Machine".
The day after viewing the movies we would be tested on what we learned. Such as " Name a proper noun from the movie?". In this way of teaching Mr. Knapp. got us interested in understanding how to break down the English language.
We were so sad to lose him so early in our school year. He made English so much fun. After he left we got a new teacher. I have long forgotten her name. But she went back to teaching in the classic way and once again my grades started to show it.
I can only imagine what a great counselor he must have been with his unique way of looking at things. I'm sure he was able to help many kids in his time. RIP Mr. Knapp you was one of the good ones.
Message from Harold Taylor
February 25, 2017 11:38 PM
I had the pleasure of knowing Ivan when he taught at Wapakoneta High School. His room was right next to mine and we traded jokes with each other. He had a wonderful friendly attitude and his students adored him and so did the rest of the faculty.
An INDOOR GARDEN BASKET was sent on February 25, 2017
Ivan, Alexa, Amelia & Edwinn, We are thinking of you & your family, Sending Love & Care, Gordon, Amy, Ian & Adam
Message from Craig Wenning
February 25, 2017 8:15 PM
So sorry to hear this. He was always one of my favorite educators at Marion local. He will be greatly missed.
A candle was lit by Aaron, Amy, & Lily
on February 25, 2017 6:53 PM
Message from Jay Wells
February 25, 2017 2:50 PM
So sorry to learn of Ivan's passing. We were high school and Ohio State students together. Ivan lived at my mother's boarding house at Ohio State, and we were both studying to be teachers. I am sure he will be missed, as he was a great guy who I know would have been an advocate for young people. My condolences to the family.
Message from Coldwater, OH
February 25, 2017 11:46 AM
I so enjoyed my friendship with Ivan in the few short years that I knew him. He had such a love and concern for the youth of Mercer County. We served on the Teen Coalition together, and then on several other committees. His positive encouragement was a gift! He left the world a much better place. May he rest in peace.
A candle was lit by Susan Jenkins
on February 25, 2017 11:44 AM
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