July 28, 1916 ~ December 25, 2017
Eliud John Knapp, 101, of Jefferson City, passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2017, at Heisinger Bluffs.
He was born on July 28, 1916, in Grattan Township, Kent County, Michigan, the son of the late Clifford Hugh and Eva Louise (Weeks) Knapp.
A 1934 graduate of Belding High School in Michigan, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture and Engineering from Lawrence Technical University in 1947.
He served his country in the United States Army Air Corps, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross Award. He served during WWII as a navigator stationed in England flying the maximum of thirty-six bombing raids over the European Theatre including D-Day. He continued his service in Army intelligence until the end of the war.
Mr. Knapp was united in marriage on August 25, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, to Ellen Maxine Gleason, who preceded him in death on March 8, 1996.
Eliud was a self-employed architect who owned several firms. He distinguished himself by working into his nineties.
He was a member of the American Institute of Architects and was licensed to practice in multiple states. He won the design of the year several times for veterinary clinics and hospitals, through the Veterinary Economics Magazine, of which he was also an editor. He published two books, Poet Flyer and a reference book still used in veterinary doctor training, The Floor Plan Book: Veterinary Hospital And Boarding Kennel Planning and Design. He was a long time member of the Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Plan Commission and an active member of the National Arbitration and Mediation Board for architectural disputes. He had his own website, E. John Knapp, AIA Gallery of Buildings, at ejohnknapp.com. In addition to his work and work related hobbies, he was a prolific artist, working with all sorts of media.
Survivors include two daughters, Marcia (Warren) Krech, Jefferson City; Laura (William) Arvold, Hazelhurst, Wisconsin; one son, Eric (Amy) Knapp, Monona, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Benjamin (Lauren) Krech, Sarah Krech (Daniel) Marsh, Christian (Kate) Arvold, Abilgail Arvold (Greg) Richards, Andrea Arvold (Tom) Bailey, Kayleigh Knapp, and Kelsey Knapp; and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Private family burial will be held at a later date at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
Guestbook
John did it all! I was blessed to know him.
Just read of John’s passing. What an interesting officer and gentleman whose WWii B-17 Army Air Corps bomber stories , poems and art work I saw and heard at Heisinger Bluffs and other venues, where he was the featured speaker. Please extend my condolences to Marcia and Warren Krech.
A Tribute from Rick and Steven Cole — Around 1960 our mother saw a plan for a house that she loved, but which was beyond her means. She went to John, and he was able to recreate the essence of the plan at a reduced scale that she could afford. This made it possible for her to realize her vision of a beautifully designed contemporary home. That house was a joy to live in. We are also grateful for his many words of wisdom in the Christian Science Sunday School class which Rick was fortunate enough to attend for many years.
So sorry to read of John’s passing. he was good friends with my Uncle – Daniel Thorington – in England during WWII. I have a wonderful letter he wrote after hearing of Daniel’s death. He sent me his book “Poet Flyer”, which was fascinating. Regret I never had the chance to meet face to face.