Walter J. KNOPP

1933 - 2022

BORN

1933

DIED

2022

Walter KNOPP Obituary

Name: Service for Walter J. KNOPP
Start: 2022-09-12T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Washington State Veterans Cemetery

Long time nationally renowned taxidermist died on the 22nd of August, 2022. Walter was born in Wyoming, Pennsylvania on September 13th, 1933 to Walter J. and Mary Anna (Truntz) Knopp. Walter started doing taxidermy at a very early age of 13 in 1946 in his boyhood home in Pennsylvania. He purchased a taxidermy correspondence course for $10 which started him off. Soon after, he began working after school and on the weekends for Pennsylvania's famous expert taxidermist Joe Koval.

In 1951, to avoid the draft, Walter enlisted in the Air Force and attended Radar Tech School at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. After a short assignment in Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona Walter was assigned to the 99th wing at Fairchild AFB in Spokane in November 1952. Around the same time, Walter began working for taxidermist, Frank Hagel for a short time before beginning his own part time taxidermy business at Chief Levi's Trading Post in Airway Heights while still in the Air Force.

After completing four years active duty in the Air Force, Walter moved his full time taxidermy business to 5111 E. Trent Ave. His brother, Jerry, joined the business in 1957 to become Knopp Brothers Taxidermy. In 1960, land was purchased at 6715 N. Division St. where a specialized custom state of the art facility was built. Soon after many specialized taxidermist were hired from across the U.S. to process and mount taxidermy trophies shipped in from all over the world. By 1970's there were over 60 employees in the taxidermy and its affiliated companies: Knopp Bros Taxidermy INC., World Wide Trophy Outfitters, All Continent Travel Service, American Fur Dressing, Ltd.

In 1977 and 1978 all the companies were sold and Walter retired to ski full time in the winter at all the major ski resorts (including many Heli skiing tours) and to spend the full summers at Priest Lake hiking, swimming, cycling, water skiing, and berry picking.

In 1970, Walter married Sally Ann (Vinther) Griffin with daughter Lori M. Griffin divorcing in 1985. Walter met his second wife, Bonita J. Green, while skiing at Sunshine Village near Banff Canada. Walter and Bonita were married in 1989 and had one son, Michael August Knopp.

A service will be held at Washington State Veterans Cemetery on September 12th at 1PM.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review on Sep. 4, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter KNOPP

8 Entries

Greg Lentz

June 29, 2025

When I was a child at Fairchild AFB Walt and my father were friends. He worked out of our garage before he went to airway heights. My step father was named Al Pakros.

Marion Steinbronn, daughter of Valerie who was sister of Walter's mother.

February 5, 2024

Dear Walter: You said in our last conversation, I might outlive you as you were not feeling well. Sorry to say you were right. With your passing away, I am now the last one living from our family who grew up In Wyoming, Pennsylvania.

I thank you for all the information you continued to give me through the years and the updating pictures that accompanied them each Christmas.

I was concerned when I did not hear from you this Christmas, and missed your latest news. I wondered about your health when there was no respond from the followup email to you. So I searched on line for news regarding you and verified your passing into transition in August.

Therefore, I have added you to my daily prayers. I am confident you are blest with resting in peace for the wonderful life you led here and the joyful reunion you had with family that had gone before you. I send them and you my love.

kathryn mifflin

October 13, 2022

Walt was always at Priest Lake when my family would go up there in the summers. He taught my brother, Mark, and myself how to windsurf. He was such a wonderful and kind person. He will be missed. Kathy Mifflin

Doug and Altari Peterson

Planted Trees

Joyce Spaulding

September 10, 2022

Walter will be missed greatly. My heart is broken and can only send my thoughts and prayers to the family. Walter and I worked on our Knopp ancestory and shared so many things.. Long talks on the phone And Christmas letters he shared. May you RIP i will never forget you.I just loved you! Joyce (Knopp) Spaulding

Michael Jacobs

September 6, 2022

Walter was an amazing and caring man. He helped me and my family in many ways that he didnt even know. I will miss him and our conversations we had. Rest in peace my friend

John Robertson

September 5, 2022

Mr. Knopp was a one of a kind gem. He was an Assistant Scoutmaster with me in our journey to raise great sons and young men in our communities. I "Thank" him for all that he taught me as a young dad and as a Leader in our Troop. We helped more than a 20 young men achieve the rank or Eagle Scout as well as made a difference in many other young adults lives. Walter had a knack of being able to teach others about so many different things. The wilderness was his life but he was also a guide to "Life" for all those he came in contact with. He was a smart business man and leader in our community that made a difference with everything he did. His thoughtfulness, curiosity, knowledge and passion for life will be greatly missed. For those that have ever been camping with him- "His passion for life will never be extinguished as we will see him forever more in the campfires we build." Thank you for your friendship, leadership and service not only to our Country but to our youth and community.
Respectfully,
John Robertson
Past Scoutmaster of Troop 210 and friend

Washington State

September 5, 2022

Thank you for your service to our country. Rest In Peace.

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