Beverly Wilbur “Bev” Knepper, USAF (retired) was born in Cando, North Dakota on February 7, 1932. He passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the age of 89.

He was the son of Wilbur C. Knepper and Elvina M. Drake Knepper who raised their family in Milford, Indiana. Knepper graduated from Milford High School in 1950, where he was the senior class president.

Knepper enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served his country during the Korean and Vietnam war eras, until 1972, working in Air Force Finance and achieving the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. Knepper was the recipient of many awards and commendations during his military tenure, including 1967 NCO of the Year, European Audit Division. After retiring from active duty, he was hired by the U. S. Air Force Civilian Service and served in that capacity from 1973 until 1996 as a chief auditor and systems analyst. He was most proud of contributing a lifetime of energy, skills, and service to support the Air Force mission of keeping America safe and secure.

He married Darlene Seyler on September 9, 1953 in Nashville, Illinois. As an Air Force family, they spent two tours in Germany and were able to see much of Europe during their 14-year marriage, as well as as well as various states at U. S. assignments. Their four children were born in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and North Dakota.

He married Sarah “Sally” Crawley Bryden on March 15, 1969 in Warner Robins, Georgia. He was the adoptive father of her sons, David and Don Knepper. They were together for 37 years and lived in Georgia, Texas, California, and South Carolina until Sally’s unexpected passing in 2006.

He is survived by his sisters, Joye Mae Stilwell and Sandra (Ronn) Ganger. He is also survived by his children, Brenda (Maureen) Knepper, Steven (Shella) Knepper, Brian (Connie) Knepper, Scott (Renee) Knepper, and Don Knepper; as well as 17 beloved grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. His parents Wilbur and Elvina Knepper, wife Sally Knepper, and son David Knepper preceded him in death.

Knepper is described by his family and friends as a very intelligent man with the sharpest wit. You could depend on him to bring understated humor to a conversation. He was an avid reader. He had a strong sense of integrity and commitment to humanist values and ethics.

Knepper was among descendants of an accomplished ancestor, Wilhelm Knepper, an 18th century German hymn writer for the early Brethren Church. His ancestors, Abraham and David Knepper, served in the Revolutionary War. A great-grandfather, Albert Drake, was a Union soldier during the Civil War. His maternal great-grandparents, Rena Paulsen and Theodore Hanson immigrated from Norway and Sweden and homesteaded in North Dakota. Theodore became a North Dakota State Representative.

After a lifetime of good health, Knepper courageously battled esophageal cancer and heart disease in recent years. He and his sister Joye, lived together in Tennessee and Fort Wayne, Indiana and had been constant companions during this time.

Funeral Services with military honors will be held Monday, March 7, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, VA. Forever in our hearts.

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