Rev. Charles M. Knapp

    DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Rev. Charles M. Knapp, former minister of Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church (1948-1955) and life-long advocate for peace and social justice, has died on April 19, 2013. He was 91. Born on July 4, 1921, and raised in West Seattle and Vashon Island, Charles graduated West Seattle High School, Whitman College and Yale Divinity School.
    Charles was a conscientious objector to WWII. In 1946, he married Rita Rowe, of Norridgewock, ME, and for 20 years, served Congregational UCC churches in Maine and Washington State, including Aroostook Larger Parish and Dover-Foxcroft. In 1965, Charles & Rita became Co-Directors of Menucha Retreat & Conference Center, Corbett, Oregon. During 12 years there, he and Rita envisioned and inaugurated an annual gathering of artists called the Creative Arts Community, and co-founded Portland PFLAG, the first in Oregon.
    Chuck enjoyed restoring and driving his 1924 Model T Ford. He maintained a life-long passion for reading, live theatre, and Baroque music, as well as gardening. In D-F, he always put in a large vegetable garden behind the parsonage, a practice he continued everywhere he lived. The last time Charles returned to Dover-Foxcroft was in the fall of 2005, when he, Rita and Kristan were able to visit the very elderly and alert Miss Greenlaw, who had been Kristan’s sub-primary teacher.
    Charles is survived by wife, Rita, now experiencing metastasized lung cancer; and daughter, Kristan of Portland, Oregon; sons, Timothy of Wilsonville, Oregon; Andrew of Salt Lake City, and Jonathan of Seattle; two grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
    Friends and family will celebrate Charles’ wonderful, engaged life Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m., at First Congregational UCC, 1126 SW Park in Portland, Oregon. Remembrances may be made to the Charles M. Knapp Fund for New Music at First Congregational or to Fellowship of Reconciliation. For a more detailed biography of Chuck Knapp’s life visit: www.alternativesoundpdx.com/charlesknapp.html. An email link is provided there to send notes to the family.