Richard (Dick) Manfred Knapp – Nov 6, 2020

A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Friday, June 4, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jamestown, N.D. Pastor Susan Haukaas will officiate.

Richard (Dick) Manfred Knapp was born November 6, 1946 in Fargo, ND. He was the only child of Manfred and Helen (Alm) Knapp. Dick grew up in Binford, ND, where hunting, fishing, and roaming the prairies with his Dad instilled a love of the outdoors that would last a lifetime. Dick graduated from Binford High School in 1964 and Mayville State College in 1969. After teaching in Halliday and Wyndmere, Dick was fortunate enough to be hired as a North Dakota Game Warden in 1974, becoming the Southeast Regional Warden Supervisor from 1985 until his retirement. He would serve for 34 1/2 years. Dick’s outlook on being a Game Warden can best be described by a quote he found by General Colin Powell: “That’s what you really have to look for in life, something that you like, and something that you think you’re pretty good at.”

After retiring from the ND Game & Fish Department, Dick worked as the director of security for the University of Jamestown for five years. He then worked as a volunteer reading tutor at Lincoln Grade School in Jamestown through AmeriCorps. He absolutely loved working with the kindergarten through 3rd grade students.

Dick married Renee Brekke in 1979. They divorced in 1985, remarried and divorced again in 1992.

In 1994, Dick found Brenda Herrick and their loving relationship would last for the rest of his life. Brenda and Dick married in 2000, and their journey through life was an adventure. Together they traveled to all fifty states, six continents, and over 30 countries. In 2018, Dick and Brenda sold their home and everything they owned and lived full-time in their RV, spending two winters in Palm Springs, CA and Casa Grande, AZ.

Dick was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Jamestown, a life member of the ND Peace Officers’ Association, and a founding member of the North American Game Warden Museum at the International Peace Garden.

Dick passed away on his 74th birthday, November 6, 2020 from Covid complications at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Trudy and Marion Baartman, sister-in-law Suzy Baartman, and brother-in-law Scott Mork.

Dick is survived by his wife Brenda, son Manfred (Amanda) Knapp of Fargo, daughter Sandra Johnson of Tappen, stepson Chris (Laura) Herrick, and step-daughter Gina (Brian) Hough (all of West Fargo); four grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Dick is also survived by six brothers-in-law: Mike (Carla) Baartman of Cannon Falls, MN, Randy (Betsy) Baartman of Rochester, MN, Jeff (Sherry) Baartman of Red Wing, MN, Brad (Julie) Baartman of St. Cloud, MN, Dave (Caroline) Baartman of Minneapolis MN, Greg (Sharyce) Baartman of Ruthton, MN; one sister-in-law, Melissa Mork of Spring Lake Park, MN; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Dick was a very generous, kind, and gentle soul who protected his loved ones, both human and animal.

No services are planned at this time, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Having a gathering of people to celebrate Dick’s life would dishonor him and the struggle he fought against this terrible disease.

Memorials received will be forwarded to the North American Game Warden Museum.