May 5, 1941 – August 22, 2022
Fairport, NY – Survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Patricia Smith Knapp, his adored children: W. Bruce and Theresa Knapp of Webster, NY, Rebekah K. and Jonathan Pullis of Aspen, CO, and Ryan Turner and Angela Campbell Knapp of Albuquerque, NM; his treasured grandchildren: Joshua and Madison Knapp, Charlie and Oliver Pullis, and Tanner and Eleanor Knapp; always close-at-heart sister Kathy Knapp Taylor and brother-in-law Richard of West Branch, MI.
His family includes his special in-laws: Sheri (Mrs. Stephen) Tisa, Michael and Mary Jean Smith, Bill and Denise Smith, Jeff and Cindi Smith as well as 2 nieces, 6 nephews and 12 great nieces and nephews. His family was counted as his blessing and all were well-loved by him.
He was predeceased by parents Albert Henry and Harriett Turner Knapp and Cousin Mary Lou Allyn.
Warren loved people. His friendships knew no bounds. Whether friends from years ago, or past students, new neighbors, or someone he just ran into, you became his friend and you were not left behind.
Warren lived all his life in Fairport/Perinton. He graduated from Fairport High School in 1959, Denison University in 1963 and received his Master’s in Education from the University of Rochester in 1964.
In 1964 he began his teaching career at East Rochester Public Schools where he taught higher math for 35 years. He also taught at St. John Fischer and RIT as well as the BOCES Cooperative Summer School. In 1999 he retired from ER and immediately began a career at Monroe Community College where he continued as an adjunct mathematics professor for another 15 years. His students became life-long friends. It was always a special day to hear something from or about them. Warren would be recognized wherever he went by former students.
While teaching at ER, he wrote NYS Regents exams for 3 years and was instrumental in forming the Monroe County Math League where he authored math questions for the teams for 20 years. He was a Past President of the ER Teachers Association and was recognized twice as Teacher of the Year. While at MCC he received the 2011 Adjunct Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Warren joined Fairport Rotary in the 70’s and has been a member for over 50 years. He served as President 1979-80, was Treasurer and District Governor’s Aide and received a Paul Harris Fellow. Their motto, “Service Above Self”, was the way he lived his life. The friendships, support and encouragement from Fairport Rotarians were treasured as were all the great memories of time well-spent. Through Rotary, Warren became
Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer of the Rochester LPGA Tournament that Rotary sponsored at Locust Hill annually. He made many dear friends managing the Finance Office for 10 years.
His strong faith was enriched by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Fairport and his church family. The sound of Warren’s tenor voice in the choir was clearly heard. His commitment included serving as a reader/intercessor, past member of vestry and the audit committee. He and Pat
worked on many different church committees together encouraging the social aspects of members caring for each other. His quick retorts and sense of humor certainly enlivened conversations.
Warren received the Eagle Scout Award from Boy Scouts of America as a youth. As an adult he worked with his sons and other boys in that program. The Knapp Family was, and the young ones still are, a Camping Family using much of what was learned in scouting. Eventually Warren bought a pop-up camper and weekends were spent trailing along the east coast exploring America. Cape Cod became a favorite summer experience shared with friends young and old.
In retirement he traveled the world with Pat. They enjoyed over 75 cruises together, stretching their horizons, making new friends in other countries, experiencing life in other environs and loving the seas. However, there was no place like home and being community-minded, Warren gave much of himself to seeing that Fairport/Perinton remained a unique hometown, a place to live, work, play and raise a family.
Visitation: Keenan’s Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY, Friday, September 9, 2022, 3:00 – 6:00 pm.
Celebration of Life Service: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 77 Country Corner Lane, Fairport, NY 14450 Saturday, September 10, 2022, 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Warren’s name may be directed to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 77 Country Corner Lane, Fairport, NY or Fairport Rotary c/o 19 Valewood Drive, Penfield, NY 14526.
Comments
37 responses to “Knapp, Warren Bruce”
I remember Mr. Knapp fondly from my years at East Rochester High School. God bless him and prayers to his family during this difficult time
Thinking of your family, Ryan – sending prayers.
Dear Pat Bruce, Theresa and all the family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. All my memories of times with Warren are full of laughter and kindness.. my prayers are wilt you all. Bunny
Mr Knapp always had a smile for you. Willing to help you when you needed it no matter if you were his student or not.
The best teacher I ever had, and just a (tremendously funny and) wonderful human being. It was a pleasure getting to know him a bit better post-school as well. I will miss my annual checking in with him every spring, My sincere condolences to his wife, kids and the rest of his family. Rest In Peace,Mr. Knapp.
I am so sorry to hear this. Mr. Knapp was one of my favorite teachers. We all looked forward to his class, he was able to be witty and silly and still teach us everything we needed to know. A great guy entirely.
Wishing peace and comfort to all his loved ones.
When i decided to become a math teacher, it was him I emulated by using humor in my classroom…I had him for math in ERHS…so thankful for the experience! My condolences
Prayers and sympathies to the Knapp family. I knew Warren from. MCC as he was my professor and from Fairport Rotary.
Tough, fair, funny, great communicator – all things I try to emulate as a teacher over the last quarter century. I think of Mr. Knapp often as the kind of teacher one needs to be. He was part of the ER math team that shaped my love of math. My sincere condolences to the Knapp family.
Mr. Knapp was my math teacher for all of high school. Our class was his first teaching experience and I’m not sure we were all as respectful as we should have been, but he stuck with us and helped us grow and mature! Thanks, Mr. Knapp. I’ll never forget you. May you rest in peace.
I was truly blessed to have Mr. Knapp as our ER School Advisor along with recent years getting together with the 1970 classmates. A truly great man, husband, father and grandfather who will be missed by so many people as he touched their lives throughout the years. May his spirit, love and kindness live on within us all.
Dear Pat, Bruce, Theresa, and family,
We are so sorry for your profound loss. Warren was such a remarkable man . Treasure the great memories. We wish you peace .
Deepest condolences,
Paul & Miriam Parrone
I consider it one of the great blessings of my life to have the Knapp family welcome me into their home growing up in Fairport. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have provided me love, guidance and friendship for as long as I can remember. My thoughts, prayers and condolences to the Knapp family.
We will all miss you Warren……More than words could say.
We honored to have you as a friend. You will be missed dearly
Jeanne and I will always treasure the family reunions at my sister Sue Ryan Turners home. There were many.
My condolences to one of the best families I’ve had the privilege of knowing throughout my life. Mr. Knapp was a great man.
Thoughts and prayers to the entire Knapp family during this time. Remember the good times and cherish the memories.
Mr. Knapp was an amazing teacher but you also knew he was a good person, witty and smart and kind. He made me feel confident and capable. I bet he did that for thousands of people. His impact lives on. He is remembered with love by the ER Class of ‘95
Deeply saddened…. fond memories of our volunteer work at Rochester Museum and Science Center. My thoughts,, love,and caring sympathy are with you all. Betsy
So sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy to the family.
We send our love, support, and prayers to Pat, Bruce, Becky, Ryan and families. Our memories of Warren span over 50 years. We are deeply saddened
Our condolences to Pat & the Knapp family.
We send our love, support and prayers to Pat, Bruce, Becky, Ryan and family. Our wonderful memories of Warren span over 50 years of friendship. We will cherish forever his ability to always light up the room with his infectious smile, thoughtful and funny comments, and genuine concern for those around him. Warren was an outstanding and loving husband, father, son, and friend. We know he has returned to his Father in heaven and is still smiling as he watches over all of us.
Mr Knapp was one of my favorite teachers. His ability to teach and make his class fun at the same time was remarkable. My sincere condolences to his family.
Warren and I began teaching at East Rochester the same year.
He was a great colleague. Always willing to help everyone.
My thoughts and prayers are will all of you.
I am a former student of Mr Knapp from East Rochester…he was always a favorite of everyone. Two things I remember are his big smile, and you never heard him raise his. voice. He was always a very nice and well respected man and teacher. I’m sorry I won’t be able to attend the visitation or services, so please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss of this wonderful man. God bless you all , his family and friends.RIP ” Mr. Knapp”
We are so so sorry to hear of Warren’s passing. Warren was one of the warmest and kind person I have ever met. He was a role model on how to be a wonderful husband and father, as well as a effective and active member of Rotary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time
My first memories were playing at the Knapp’s Clinton Avenue home. Pat would watch over Becky and I, as toddlers. Warren would come home and liven the place up! My parents, being new to Fairport, were always so grateful for Warren and Pat’s friendship. They include our family in their social circle and village community. My favorite memories were at Evergreen pool club. I’d be so glad when the Knapps arrived! It was great hearing the roar of the adult’s laughter. Warren seemed good at bringing folks together and putting them at ease with his sense of humor.
Much love to the Knapp family. Thanks for making my childhood rich with happy memories
I remember Warren as a good neighbor, as a fellow member of the Bristol View Home Owners Association and as a good and gracious friend. I’ll miss him. My thoughts are with you, Pat and Warren’s large extended family.
My deepest condolences to Pat and the family. Gary and I were so grateful that Warren and Pat friended us when we new to the Fairport community in the early 80’s and we truly felt like we were taken under your wings. So many memories over the years included team Knapp. Warren will always be one of the brightest stars in our community and our hearts. Rest In Peace Warren. ?
When he was my teacher at ERHS, he was carrying some papers. I said, “What are those, Warren Reports?” He laughed at my lame joke. Rest in peace Mr. Knapp.
To Mr. Knapp’s wife and family, my sincerest condolences. Former student ER class of 86. I had the privilege of being one of his students. I had so much fun in his math class as he would always be silly while doing a spectacular job teaching. I learned so much from him and math was always my favorite subject. I recall that we mentioned Mr. Knapp in one of our songs for moving up day because how could we not mention him? He was very loved and I am grateful for the time I knew him. I was also lucky enough to tell him some of these things at our class reunion in October of 2021. So grateful that I was able to spend some time with him that day. May God comfort you all during this very difficult time.
We’ve always had a close knit family in the Knapp clan, and I was fortunate to have loving grandparents that lived just across town to spend time with while growing up. I will never forget he hikes across Perinton’s many trails and the adventures up and down the Village of Fairport as my grandparents would take my sister and I on whenever they had the chance to take us off our parents’ hands. As Pat and Warren’s oldest grandchild, I was blessed with over 27 years of fond memories and life lessons from the time spent with my grandpa. He always has been, and always will be one of the biggest role models in my life. He may be gone, but his kind-hearted spirit will live on through my generation and generations to come. You will be missed Grandpa, but never forgotten.
Joshua, I’m so very sorry for your profound loss. My mother and I moved in next door not even 2yrs ago but he made such an imprint on our lives…your grandmother as well. He reminded me so much of my own grandfather who passed not even 3yrs ago, because of his quick wit, humor willing to help at the drop of a hat.I know he’s in Heaven but I so wish my Mother and I had more time to get to know him. He talked so much of his beloved grandkids and I know his loss has been so difficult for the entire Knapp family. Know that he loved you all so very much and I am so very sorry for your loss. We will miss him greatly.
It has been written that “laughter is glitter thrown upon the soul.” Warren added so much sparkle to life. Peace and condolences to all of his loving people.
Pat & Family, i met Warren when I recently joined the PEM EMP Board. He was so welcoming and helpful. I was honored to sit with you,Pat, and Warren at the Advent House fundraiser. You made the evening fun. Your love for each other was inspiring. I pray you feel God’s comfort. You will see him again and there will be no more tears but only joy. With my deepest sympathy. Leonor “ Leo” Rivera
I was a student of Mr. Knapp at ERHS. He taught me math and about personal responsibility for my own success as a student. In particular, he taught me that homework was not a chore, but an investment of time in myself and my future. Thank you Mr. Knapp for your investment of time in me and all of your other students. You always imparted great wisdom mixed with an encouraging word and a joke or two. Peace to you and your family.