Robert Duane Knapp, age 60 of Manistee, passed away on Wednesday May 27, 2015 at home. He was born on June 25, 1954 in East Grand Rapids, son of the Duane and Judith (Moore) Knapp. Robert graduated from Comstock Park High School in 1972. He recently started and finished his first year of college at Liberty University Online, studying business management. Robert married Alicia Mae Medacco on February 2, 1996. During the last years of his life, Robert was unable to work due to his disability. But he formerly worked at Little River Casino upon moving to Manistee and then for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Maintenance and Construction Company, where he met and became fast friends with his supervisor, Stacy Gibson and remained treasured friends until Bob’s death. He was at one time an avid bowler and at one point in time considered turning pro. He has an almost perfect game of “299” to his accomplishments and has the ring to prove it. He loved being a coach for football, baseball and basketball and moved up he ranks with his son Jared as he progressed from the midget and pee wee leagues all the way up till the years of high school. He truly loved helping out all athletes and to this day many still have fond memories of the times with Coach Bob and still respect him. He enjoyed and took pride in watching all his children participating in sports and other activities. Bob also volunteered time to sports camps and to Special Olympics. Special Olympics, especially area 24 was very special to him because of his involvement of his step-daughter as an Olympian. Many of the athletes came to love and respect Bob because he showed them the same in return and he truly valued getting to know each one of them. Bob always liked to joke around, even when the joke was on him, which often was the case. He loved to laugh, even though much of the time it was laughing about himself. Bob is survived by his wife, Alicia Mae Knapp of Manistee; son, Jared (Alyssa) Knapp of Manistee; stepsons, Robert (Melissa) Medacco of Manistee, Adam (Maria) Umlauf of Wyoming, Matthew (Lindsay) Umlauf of Manistee and Cameron Medacco of Manistee; step-daughters, Andrea Umlauf and Melissa (Jeremy) Wolters of Stevensville; grandchildren, Briar Mae Knapp, Robert and Adrian Medacco, Joseph, Dominic, Aubri-Ann and Braeden Umlauf, Norah Rose Umlauf and Addie Medacco; mother and step-father, Judith and Einar Christensen of Lowell; Siblings, John (Deb) Knapp of Rockford, Connie Hernandez of Sarasota, FL, Anita Rosa of Sarasota, FL, Rick (Deb) Wandron of Lake City and Terra (Paul) Burke of Lowell; aunt, Ruth Penning of Grand Rapids; and many special cousins, nieces, nephews and good friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Duane Knapp; mother-in-law, Ann Medacco; sister-in-law, Donna Vanderkooi; and brother-in-law, Jerry Nelson. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday June 4, 2015 at Oak Grove Funeral Home in Manistee. The family will receive friends for visitation at the funeral home from 10:00AM until time of service. A celebration of life gathering will be also held on Thursday June 4, 2015 from 2:00 till 4:00PM at the Aki Community Center, 2953 Shaw Be Quo-ung Road in Manistee. Please feel free to share a memory or photo with Bob’s family at www.oakgrovefh.com. Memorial contributions in memory of Bob may be directed to the Knapp family. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
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Robert Knapp
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