Date of death: 12/8/2025
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1963
Reverend Monsignor Kenneth R. Knapp, 88, senior priest of the Diocese of Evansville, died Dec. 8. He was born March 18, 1937, in Haubstadt, Indiana, to the late Henry and Katherine (Gastenveld) Knapp.
Msgr. Knapp attended Saint Meinrad Seminary and Saint Meinrad College in St. Meinrad, Indiana. He also attended the University of Innsbruck in Austria, Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana and the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.
He was ordained a priest March 30, 1963, in Innsbruck, Austria, by Bishop Paul Rusch.
Msgr. Knapp served the Diocese of Evansville in many ways over the years, including: as a teacher at Mater Dei High School in Evansville, with residence at St. Wendel Church in St. Wendel in Aug. 23, 1963; assistant at St. Simon’s Church in Washington beginning June 11, 1965; chaplain of the Washington Knights of Columbus beginning July 17, 1967; Indiana State University, weekend help at St. James Church in Haubstadt in January 1968; Assistant Pro-Tem at Blessed Sacrament Church in Oakland City beginning June 7, 1968; and began graduate studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. on Aug. 22, 1968.
On June 26, 1970, Msgr. Knapp was named associate director of Catholic Charities, residence at St. Mary Church in Evansville. He then became the assistant commissioner of the Community Affairs Commission on June 29, 1970. By August 1970, he was named commissioner of the Community Affairs Commission and Director for Campaign for Human Development.
In November 1970, Msgr. Knapp was named director of the Catholic Charities Bureau.
In January 1971, Msgr. Knapp was elected to the Priests’ Senate, and a year later, in January 1972, he was appointed Diocesan Consultor.
On Oct. 21, 1980, he was named a Prelate of Honor with the title Reverend Monsignor.
Msgr. Knapp served as Director for the Center for Human Development in Washington, D.C. in March 1981.
On April 1, 1984, Msgr. Knapp was appointed Vicar General-Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia (Director of Operations) for the Diocese of Evansville.
He became an ex-officio member of Council of Priests in January 1985, and he was appointed Diocesan Consultor. He served as pastor of Christ the King Parish in Evansville beginning in July 1995. In August 1996, he was named Dean of the East Deanery.
Msgr. Knapp served as temporary administrator of Holy Trinity Church in Evansville beginning February 1998. In September 1999, he served as temporary administrator of Holy Rosary Parish in Evansville. And in July 2004, he was named temporary administrator of St. Joseph Parish and St. Theresa Parish, both in Evansville.
On Nov. 1, 2006, Msgr. Knapp was named administrator of St. Joseph Parish and St. Theresa Parish in Evansville.
By February 2007, he was named moderator of St. Theresa Parish in Evansville.
On Sept. 1, 2011, Msgr. Knapp retired as Vicar General.
On June 20, 2012, he retired from active ministry.
Msgr. Knapp’s hobbies included genealogy and he was an avid reader. He truly enjoyed spending time with his family on holidays and playing cards monthly with his card group. Msgr. Knapp had a great passion for and was very knowledgeable about art and various artists.
Msgr. Knapp is survived by niece, Kathy Sollman (Dan), nephews, Gregory Hoffman, Scott Hoffman and Mark Hoffman (Laura), great nephew and nieces, Joshua Sollman, Brittany Sollman and Sydney Hoffman, brother-in-law, Lee Hoffman and special friend and caregiver, Carol Russler.
Msgr. Knapp is preceded in death by a brother, Lambert John, and a sister, Sharon Hoffman.