Edwin P. 'Phil' Knapp, 82
Edwin P. ‘Phil’ Knapp, 82
Edwin P. “Phil” Knapp was born on Dec. 30, 1933, in Gig Harbor, Wash. He passed away Feb. 9, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after a full and blessed life.
Phil served in the U.S. Air Force and retired after 20 years. Following his retirement from the USAF, Phil worked for and retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Post Falls after 23 years. Phil enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, race cars and needlepoint. He was a member of the Rathdrum Masonic Lodge, the Post Falls Kiwanis and was a 4-H Leader for years.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Dreva Knapp; his wife, Darlene (Waggoner); his daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Don Peterson; and sisters Darla Knapp and Barbara Kingen. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, LauraLee and Steve Johnson; son Ed; grandchildren Andrew (Chrissy) Peterson, Heather Peterson, Jaime Johnson, Jeff (Jayme) Johnson and Sean Knapp; four great-granddaughters, Patricia and Elizabeth Peterson, Jayda and Jaylyn Johnson; and one great-great-granddaughter, Ava. Also survived by siblings Zala (Tom) Sweitzer, Lynn (Elizabeth) Knapp and Dreva (Ross) Arndt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Phil was a longtime resident of Post Falls, graduating from Post Falls High School in 1952 and returning to the family homestead in Post Falls after his USAF retirement in 1971. Phil moved to Bestland retirement apartments in Coeur d’Alene over seven years ago where he was known as the “Candy Man” and loved his friends and extended family there.
Phil believed that “anything worth doing is worth doing well” as exemplified by his numerous military and civil service awards, and other accomplishments and friendships throughout his life. He will be missed and hopefully the life lessons he shared and taught us all will be carried on.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, at English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls, Idaho; a graveside inurnment will immediately follow the service at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls. Please visit Phil’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.