Richard Michael Knapp

Richard Michael Knapp, 58, passed away in the early hours of March 23, 2024 at his home in Provo, surrounded by members of his loving family. Richard was born November 11, 1965, in Denville, New Jersey, the oldest of three boys born to Richard D. Knapp and Ruth Bishop Bernau. He would later have two sisters, when his mother remarried, and then when his father remarried.
From the age of nine, Richard grew up in Mendham, New Jersey where he also attended high school. There he put his acting skills to work in numerous plays, was on the debate team, became his senior class president and graduated with honors. He went on to study at Brigham Young University on a full Spencer W. Kimball scholarship. It was in Mendham where he was introduced and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended seminary during high school and after his first year of college at BYU he served a church mission, in Austria for two years. Upon returning from his mission, he continued his studies at BYU. Richard graduated from BYU in 1993, earning his bachelor, MBA and JD degrees.
Richard was a natural entrepreneur, he started early. He had a paper route that he took great pride in. He also watched his father run businesses and found it fun to help his father count money for nightly deposits. Richard spent three summers working alongside his grandfather, William Bernau at his company Universal Manufacturing, soaking up all he could about business operations. Along with his father, and this grandfather, he developed the confidence to start many of his own successful business ventures. These ventures started with a small apartment complex in Provo while in college. He would continue in his success with additional apartments, not only in Provo but also in Arizona and Florida. His real estate career also included gas stations, a burger restaurant, office buildings, a circuit board manufacturing company, an alcohol and drug rehab and hotels. He often told me he loved the apartment business the best.
Richard always had a love of politics and saw it as an opportunity to help change the world for the better. He supported local candidates throughout his life in Utah. He was very involved in the last few years of his life not only with local candidates but with organizations he shared ideals with. He met many people whom he respected and esteemed.
Richard married Karla Harper in 1987 and they had a daughter and two sons. They later divorced but continued to work together in raising their children.
Richard later married Michelle Davey in March 2002. They would join their families together along with their own daughter. In March 2022 they were sealed in the Provo City Center Temple.
Richard's survivors include his wife, Michelle, sons Richard (Tacy) and Michael (Jane), daughters Brittany (Tim), Laura (Cameron) and his bonus daughter Rachel (Steven). He is also survived by his mother Ruth Bernau (Ted), his additional mother Patricia Knapp, brothers David (Jessica) and Kevin, his sisters Wendi (Mac) and Kristi (Briese), and his Aunt Sally. His father-in-law Wes, mother-in-law Avis, brothers-in-law Chris (Allison), Nathan and Brian, sister-in-law Jenny (Ryan), along with many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his father and Grandparents Knapp, Bishop and Bernau.
Most significant to him was the legacy he left of his grandchildren, in which he found great joy. Emmit Dean, Henry Liam, Navy Lea, Julian Alaric Don, Richard Lachlan, Leonidas Michael, Lily Brooklyn, Ivy Mae, Harvey Wing and another on the way.
We will remember our generous and passionate Richard Friday April 12th, 2024 and lay him to rest in Provo.