Norman Charles Knapp

Norman Knapp, 87, of Aurora passed away on October 15, 2010 surrounded by his loving family. Norman is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years Angeline, four children, Michael (Regina), Barbara (Gary), Paula (Patrick), Charles (Mia); sister Naomi (Lorin) Finnicum; five grand children, Anna (Tim), Debra (Brandon), Kevin, Liam and Ariana (Joel); two great grandchildren, Soren and Norman Ignatius. Norman is preceded in death by grandson Brendan Norman Sullivan Knapp. Norman was born on July 19, 1923 on his family's homestead in Alamo, North Dakota. As a child he moved to Fairview, Montana to the Boles Homestead. At 17 Norman graduated from Fairview High School and shortly thereafter joined the US Marine Corps in 1940. In 1941 the Marine Corps sent him to Navy Pier in Chicago for training and while attending a USO function he met his future wife, Angie. On a Sunday in December his meal at a White Castle was interrupted by the news of Pearl Harbour and before he knew it he was on his way to ""Cactus"" (Code for Guadalcanal) in the South Pacific as part of the Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-123. While on rotation back in the USA to prepare for deployment to an aircraft carrier Norman married Angie in Santa Barbara at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church with Angie's Mother present. The USS Bennington set sail for action in the Pacific on New Years Eve 1944. One day during normal operations a kamikaze managed to make a surprise attack on his ship, crashing into the flight deck. The force of the impact sent the kamikaze propeller, steel and fragments of the teakwood flight deck into the cabin where Norm was working, just missing him. Collecting some of the teakwood Norm fashioned a picture frame that holds Angie's photo to this day. While operating off of Japan in 1945 his task force sailed into a terrible typhoon. The resulting damage to his ship was so severe that VMF-123 was pulled from the front line. Then the War ended for Norman with VJ Day on August 14, 1945. Nine months after VJ Day Norm's first of four, Michael, was born in May, 1946. During his service Norman advanced to the rank of Sergeant Major, youngest to achieve this rank at the time. After the War Norman and family moved to Missoula, Montana where he entered the University of Montana. The GI Bill helped with school but starting a new family was another story so Norm took a job with the U.S. Forest Service as a smoke jumper. He loved to hear that there was a fire to jump on as his pay increased greatly when the hazards increased. As he came closer to graduation the school work became increasingly challenging so he traded the excitement of the jumping for a job at the Missoula city fire department. Then Norm's second of four, Barbara, was born in Missoula in March, 1949. Norm completed his studies in 1950 and graduated from the University of Montana with a B.S. in geology. Directly after graduation Norm went to Pierre, South Dakota to work for the Corps of Engineers at the Oahu Dam Project on the Missouri River. Even in those days Government projects did not have the best financial management so as the project ran out of funding in 1952 Norm went to Casper, Wyoming and was hired ""on the spot"" by Mobil Oil Corp. Mobil promptly moved Norm and family to Billings, Montana where he went to work as a geologist. Norm's third of four, Paula, was born in Billings in April, 1954. Next stop was Bismarck, North Dakota as district geologist for the Dakotas. Charles made the Knapp family complete being born in Bismarck in 1959. The subsequent years moved Norm and family to Kansas, Oklahoma and finally to Denver as his professional service to Mobil touched on all aspects of a petroleum geologist. Norm had found his niche working for Mobil ultimately putting 33 years of service. Norm's interests through life were numerous and his enthusiasm made for a fun and fulfilling life for his family. He especially enjoyed all outdoor activities as an avid outdoorsman. In retirement Norman never stopped with his dedication to his family, friends, geology and the US Marine Corps. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at the Church of the Risen Christ, 3060 S. Monaco Pkwy, Denver, CO 80222, with committal to follow at Ft. Logan National Cemetery followed by a reception at the Dam East Club House. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University of Montana Norman Knapp Memorial Scholarship fund aiding in the education of a future geologist. Please refer to the charities section for further details. Please share memories of Norman and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" button below.