In Memory of Rev. Ronald “Ron” Wayne Knapp
We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Ronald “Ron” Wayne Knapp, who died on October 21, 2024, at the age of 90.
Ron was born on January 27, 1934, in Kenosha, WI, to Harvey J. Knapp and Ellen Packman Knapp. He grew up in Kenosha and graduated from Kenosha High School. His family had a deep connection to the Methodist Church. In his youth, Ron was very much influenced by the ministers in his home church and desired to become a minister. He thought of ministry in terms of people rather than the doctrines and practices of the church. In 1957, Ron earned his Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan College, following which he pursued his theological education at Drew University, NJ, obtaining a Bachelor of Divinity (1961). Later in 1973, he received a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Dartmouth College, NH.
Ron served in the Methodist ministry for eleven years, the first eight years as a student, and the last two and a half years in full-time work. Over time, he reached a crisis in his own life and theology. He discovered that he had forced himself to accept the doctrines and practices he could not accept with an open mind. This theological and sacramental estrangement made him study the Unitarian Universalist perspectives. He felt that the presuppositions of Unitarian Universalism reflected his own. This was the place where his actual convictions were more acceptable. He decided to become a minister in the Unitarian Universalist tradition and continue in the ministry, exercising a ministry of compassion.
From 1965 to 1968, the Rev. Knapp served the Federated Church, Avon, IL. Subsequently, he served both All Souls Unitarian Church in Windsor, VT, and the First Universalist Church in Claremont, NH. Eventually he guided the merger of these two congregations into the UU Meeting House in Ascutney, VT, where he continued his ministry through 1975. In 1976, he accepted a call from the First Unitarian Church, Omaha, NE, and served for the next two decades. His tenure in Omaha was marked by significant achievements, including major renovations to the church, several televised Sunday morning services, and the organization of Nebraska Advocates for Nursing Home Residents. Under his leadership, the church achieved a National Landmark designation, recognizing its historic Georgian Revival architecture. The congregation also celebrated the building’s 75th anniversary, a milestone in its rich history. In 1996, the Rev. Knapp retired from his ministry, and in 1997, the church honored him as their minister emeritus. Following retirement, the Rev. Knapp continued his ministry serving congregations in Yuma, AZ, and Auckland, New Zealand. His time in New Zealand included four months of dedicated work with the Auckland Unitarian Church.
The Rev. Knapp was an active and dedicated leader of the denomination, serving as president of two UUMA chapters. He was a board member in two UUA districts and served on extension, nomination, and district executive search committees. He conducted workshops on “Science and Religion” and “Literature and Religion” at the Lake Geneva Summer Assembly. Furthermore, he was a Good Office person for the Prairie Star District chapter of the UUMA.
Ron was involved with several organizations and activities with his interests in peace concerns, community action agencies, libraries, regional health care, Planned Parenthood, prison reform, civil rights, and abortion rights. In Omaha, he was the founder of the Nebraska Nursing Home Advisory and Research Council. He was vice-president and program chairman of the United Nations Association chapter in Battle Creek, MI. He published four books, including “Of Life Immense, the Prophetic Vision of Walt Whitman” and “Oneness, Thoughts on a Humanistic Theology of Everything”.
Ron was a lover of science, nature, and poetry. He regarded the Earth as sacred, and poetry as scripture. He had a special interest in environmental and wildlife protection issues. He enjoyed nature, hiking, outdoor activities, traveling, and woodworking.
Ron is survived by his wife of 71 years, Anne Knapp; his brother, Dale Knapp; children: John Knapp (Jacki), Kyle Knapp (Gail), Ronda Strimple (Hank), Forrest Knapp, Corellen Allendorfer (Phil); brother-in-law, Alvin Doerfler (Duffy); sister-in-law, Lillian Knapp; nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on November 9, 2024, at the First Unitarian Church of Omaha, 3114 Harney St, Omaha, NE 68131.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Unitarian Church of Omaha, NE.