David R. Knapp Jr.

Born in Anchorage, AK, to parents David and Marilyn Knapp on January 18, 1972, Dave lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Bellingham, WA on November 29, 2024. 

Dave was not yet one year old when he moved to Sitka where he grew up and graduated from Sitka High School in 1990. Highlights of his school years were jazz band and the boys’ drill team. As a member of the Natural Helpers Program, he discovered a natural talent for counselling and advising others.

Dave graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in human services and earned his MA in organizational management.

Dave’s career path led him to advising positions at Bellingham Technical College, Whatcom Community College, and Skagit Valley College where he served as Associate Dean. He also worked at Job Corps and Northwest Youth Services.

He met the love of his life, Dana Lee Moyer, and they were married on July 1, 1995. They made their home and raised their daughters in Bellingham.

Some of Dave’s interests included sailing, biking, photography, and cooking. Cooking as a family was important to him and he taught both his daughters the joy of cooking.

He is survived by his wife, Dana Knapp; daughters, Mackenzie and Madison Knapp; parents, David and Marilyn Knapp; sisters, Jill (Kim) Hanson and Joanna (Terry) Perensovich; nephew, Tristan (Angela) Hanson; niece, Brianne (Casper) Hanson; great-nephews and -nieces, Lucius Hanson and Miley and Mavis Buijze; sister-in-law, Jennifer Moyer Taylor; nieces, Trinity and Marina Taylor; as well as a long list of dear friends and coworkers.

A celebration of life will be held in the new year. 

Memorial donations can be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation or the Sitka Fine Arts Camp Scholarship fund.