Myles Berthold Knape

Today, in celebration, we acknowledge a primary truth; Myles Berthold Knape, age 92, passed away Saturday, December 16, 2023, and is now in the loving arms of his creator. Born on the tenth of March, 1931, to Esther and E.H Knape, he lived his life to the fullest, always looking forward to the next project or task at hand. Lacking in athletic abilities, he approached work projects as a way of satisfying his need to participate in a meaningful way. This questionable attribute he carried with him until he was carried home.
Myles loved to laugh and was skillful at remembering jokes and re-telling them whenever the occasion arose - which to Myles was whenever he was with someone. One, two or a thousand it made no difference.
Myles was into woodworking and over the years worked on and completed numerous woodworking projects, including Hope Chests for each of his granddaughters. Also, during the course of his adult life he remodeled three historic houses, one of which he turned into a four-unit apartment.
He loved poetry and dabbled in it himself; some good, some fair and some not. Although he began composing poetry while still in high school, he never considered himself a poet. However, in concert with the church organist, he composed the lyrics for five hymns. Poetry provided Myles a unique way to express himself, his observations, concerns and beliefs. During the course of his life Myles acquired many friends and when any of them passed away he would write a poetic tribute to them as a last farewell. These poems were received well by the grieving families.
Myles was a graduate of Concordia College, which at that time was an all-boys academy dedicated to the preparation of secondary students for education at a seminary, leading to careers in ministry and/or teaching. Seminary graduates subsequently held offices within the churches and schools of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
Following a year at the University of Houston, Myles enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as assistant to the cargo loading officer aboard the USS Virgo, a cargo ship converted to haul ammunition during the Korean conflict. While serving in his home port of Sasebo, Japan Myles gained an understanding and appreciation of the Japanese people and of their culture. (An interesting note, the USS Virgo is the ship Thomas Heggen, author of the book upon which the movie "Mr. Roberts" is based, served on During WWII.) Discharged in November of 1954, he returned home to Houston where he worked for a short time at EXXON. While at EXXON his supervisor encouraged him to return to school and secure a degree, which he did in the fall of 1955, graduating in the summer of 1957.
Securing two degrees, Myles taught as an instructor at Sam Houston University from the fall of 1957 till the fall of 1960. From Sam Houston he took a position as Technical Writer in the Engineering Department of Hughes Tool Company in Houston. From the engineering department he was recruited to a position within the company's Advertising and Public Relations Department where he edited the company's external publication, Hughes Rigway.
From Hughes Tool Company he took a position with Houston Lighting and Power Company as public relations assistant and editor of the company's publication, Highlights. His big move came when he was contacted by an agent of The University of Texas at Austin to move to Galveston as Director of the Office of Public Information, which at the time had no structure; a challenge he relished. In the early eighties he was promoted to Executive Director of the newly formed Division of Institutional Services, which, with the establishment of the Division, was comprised of Public Information, Alumni Affairs and the Office of Development. The Division also included a Media Services section and an Office of Personnel Recruitment of non-medical employees.
Myles belonged to several professional organizations but preferred to devote his time and effort to his responsibility as a supervisory employee of the University.
Myles is survived by his wife, Frances Ann Medley Knape, of 58 years, (Many times, over the course of years, Myles has expressed the belief that meeting Frances was a gift from God.); his three sons: Eric Stephen Knape and two of his children, Alex and Jessica Knape, and his wife Kim Knape and their two children, Summer and Logan; Noel Cabot Knape and his wife, Vania Paz Knape, and their two children, Sophia and Nicholas Knape; Carlton Christian Knape and his wife, Rebecca Knape, and their children, Myles Wayne and Wren Knape. He is also survived by his brother, Maury Knape and his wife, Evelyn, and their children, Kevin Knape and his wife, Elizabeth Knape and Laurie Knape Rathburn and her husband, Lloyd Rathburn. Myles is further survived by his niece, Donna Medley Ulrich and her husband, Carter, and their two children, Cameron Ulrich and Lauren Ulrich Stienhage; by his niece, Dina Medley Benkowski, and her husband, Laurent, and their children, Derik and Evin Benkowski; and by his niece, Debra Medley and by numerous other family members and friends, each of whom was loved dearly in their own special way.
Myles' family will receive visitors from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, Wednesday, December 20, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm, Thursday, December 21, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Galveston.
Myles encourages everyone who knew him to sing a happy tune, as Myles is now with his savior and Lord in a place of splendor, beauty and peace beyond description.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Galveston. In keeping with what Myles would want to say, God Bless each and every one of you!