LAWRENCE EUGENE KNAPP

Knapp, Lawrence Eugene, Santa Ana, CA, passed away at HOAG hospital on May 18, 2014. Lawrence was born in Providence, Rhode Island on September 2, 1936. He is survived by wife, Regina Hughes-Knapp of Topeka, Kansas; his brother, Theodore Knapp of Warwick, Rhode Island; his twins, Christopher Knapp and Jennifer Knapp of Santa Ana, California; and his two grandchildren, Rumi Manleen Kaur and Soren Preet Kaur. He was married to his wife, Jeannie, for 40 years.

Larry grew up in Providence, Rhode Island as the youngest of four siblings. After obtaining his bachelors in philosophy from the University of Rochester and volunteering for the New England Search and Rescue, he joined the Air Force in 1968 and was stationed in Topeka, Kansas where he met his wife. He was then sent to serve in the Viet Nam Theater along the perimeter in the Air Force base of Nakhon Phanom by the Mekong River. He served there for a year before coming back to Beale AFB in Northern California. His experience of war inspired him to take on a profession of healing hearts, minds, and spirit. He enrolled in Chapman University in Orange, CA to obtain his Masters in Counseling and obtained an MFT license.

A gentle man, a stoic hero, a fierce lover of justice and an unabashed advocate for the poor, he never failed to give back to the community what he could. He was a dedicated father and husband. But what he will be remembered for the most among all family and friends was his quick wit and deep intellect. "Sharp" and "brilliant" were often used to describe him, yet he remained humble throughout his life. Even in his final weeks, he never failed to express concern for his family and love for his wife Jeannie.

His funeral will be at St. Anne's Church, 1344 S. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92707 on May 27th at 1:00pm with an honor guard, viewing will follow at Brown Colonial Mortuary, 204 West 17th St., Santa Ana, CA 92706.