Elroy Knapp

Longtime Palmer resident Elroy Francis Knapp, 91, died Sept. 9, 2007, at his home.

A celebration of his life will be held later.

Knapp was born Dec. 12, 1915, in Bristow, Neb. From an early age he worked his way back and forth across the United States for farmers and cattle ranchers. He was a photographer, a barber and held a variety of physical jobs as a young man.

Searching for a better life he took the S.S. Cordova steamship to Alaska in 1940, arriving in Kodiak. Finding better times in Alaska, he established himself working as a machinist and auto body professional, which allowed him to send for his wife Louise in 1942.

In 1946 they moved to Palmer on a 40-acre Springer Loop farm. During the same period Knapp served in the military and worked an auto body job in Anchorage while starting his business, Palmer Body & Paint. He provided a variety of services to local residents ranging from gold smelting to all forms of vehicle maintenance. He had the first wrecker service in the area and rescued many travelers.

In appreciation for looking after Louise, he gave his Springer Loop farm to a neighbor. His giving spirit was many times displayed at his business with a short phrase of, “I’ll get you next time.” The Palmer Body & Paint building was originally part of The Lucky Shot Mine. The entire town attended a Halloween theme party with live music to celebrate its grand opening. In 1979, Knapp retired and traveled with his second wife, Margaret, and they enjoyed many years of companionship.

Knapp loved Alaska and all it offered, which exemplified his lifestyle. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He created many trails that are still in use today. He was the last founding member of the Palmer Sportsman Club. Although Knapp was not an official pioneer to the Mat-Su Valley, his honest lifestyle and high ethics made him a pioneer of his time.

Knapp was also an airplane pilot and soloed in 1955. He built multiple airplanes from scratch, vehicles for hunting, airboats and specialty crafts, and one winter he built a 31-foot fishing boat in his shop. He was a true engineer and master craftsman of anything imaginable. He made his children numerous motorized vehicles, from a three-wheeled bike with a washing machine motor to a triangle-shaped car with a motorcycle engine using his custom-engineered clutch and brake system. Last Christmas he made keepsake painted wooden reindeer for friends and family.

Knapp had strong convictions about the importance of growing food free of chemicals and this practice attributed to his long, healthy life. As a child he grew gardens and raised chickens to eat and sell with his mother. He learned the importance of harvesting crops for future use. Spring and summer were his favorite times of year. He maintained a garden, container plants, corn and a raspberry patch.

Using a hydroponic system he grew tomatoes, herbs and greens inside his home. His yard was well manicured with bird feeders and goodies always available for the moose and squirrels passing through.

Young at heart, Knapp enjoyed personal visits with family and friends. He also used his computer and web camera to attend his grand daughter’s wedding and visit family and friends. He hosted numerous Christmas Eve morning breakfasts for the entire family where he prepared hotcakes, one at a time, using his mother’s cast iron skillet.

Knapp was preceded in death by parents, Ellise and Fannie Knapp; six siblings; his infant daughter Louise; and wives Louise and Margaret. He is survived by children Frank (Kristine) Knapp and Susan (Michael) Musgrove; grandchildren Deon MacMillan, Kathleen Musgrove, Sabrina Lulay, Tamara Musgrove, Richell Carmichael and Richard Knapp; great-grandchildren Taryn, Camryn and Lauryn MacMillan, Kelli and Cody Lulay; and his dear friend Lucille Stephan.