Evan Diego Knaff

Evan Diego Knaff, 27, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on December 9, 2025. A cherished husband, son, brother, and friend, Evan brought warmth and light into the lives of all who knew him.
Born in Texas on July 22, 1998 and welcomed home by Kathryn and John Knaff in Memphis, Tennessee, Evan grew into a bright, curious, and joyful child. He was a loving older brother to Jake, whom he guided and protected with great affection from an early age.
Evan attended Memphis University School, where he was coached by his father during his high-school wrestling career-an experience that deepened their bond and shaped Evan's character. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in History from Pennsylvania State University.
During his years at Penn State, and while home in Memphis during the summers, Evan devoted his time to teaching Sunday school in local children's ministries. Whether at football games, wrestling club meetings, Sunday school classrooms, or his campus job, Evan was known for showing up fully-committed, kind, and ready to support the people around him. It was during his sophomore year at Penn State that he met Grace, who would become the love of his life.
Following Evan's cancer diagnosis in November 2022, he and Grace moved to Ambler, Pennsylvania, where they built a warm and loving home together. There, they adopted their beloved dog, Goose, who brought immeasurable companionship, comfort, and joy throughout Evan's illness. Ambler became a place of peace-a chapter defined not by hardship, but by resilience, tenderness, and the everyday love Evan and Grace shared.
Evan fought courageously, with every fiber of his being. Even in the hardest moments, he fought with a smile-fueled by hope, faith, and a deep desire to bring greater awareness and funding to high-grade brain cancer diagnoses and research. His strength and spirit inspired all who walked alongside him. He was supported by his team at Jefferson in Philadelphia, with Dr. Martinez, Dr. Judy, and Nurse Kim championing him on along the way.
Evan is preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn, and by his maternal and paternal grandparents.
He is survived by his wife, Grace; his father, John; his brother, Jake; the Kennedy family and by his closest friends-David, Joseph, Stephen, Aiden, Sam, Louis, Valentine, Cameron, Ryan - and many others whose lives were brightened by his presence, and brought light to his in return.
Evan will be remembered for his radiant smile, his everlasting humor, his contagious joy, and his unwavering devotion to the people he loved. His life was a testament to kindness, faith, courage, and genuine friendship, and his legacy will continue to live on in every heart he touched.
A Funeral Service and Visitation will be held at the The First Presbyterian Church of Ambler, 4 S. Ridge Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002, where Evan taught Sunday School. Friends and family may visit from 1:30PM – 3:00PM on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Funeral Service will begin at 3:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Evan's name to The Glioblastoma Research Organization, or Gray for Glioblastoma.
https://fundraise.gbmresearch.org/campaign/748093/donate
https://fundraise.gbmresearch.org/campaign/748102/donate