Victor Forest Knapp

Forest was born in Tacoma, WA to Earl H and Lily Knapp. He grew up with his 9 brothers and sisters in Tacoma and at the family home in Purdy, WA. He graduated from Peninsula High School and attended University of Puget Sound. He also attended New York University and University of Washington.

Forest married the love of his life, Elaine Fosness, on January 9, 1960. They settled and raised their family in Purdy, WA. Forest and Elaine were blessed with three daughters, Kari, Sonja, and Kirsten. He cherished his daughters. Forest was blessed with two grandsons, Gabriel and Jacob. He is known as Papa to his grandsons, and he cherished his time with them.

Forest was an avid outdoorsman. He summitted many of the peaks in Washington, including Mt. Olympus, St. Helens (before the eruption), Hood, Adams and 6 times to the top of Mt. Rainier. He enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with family and friends and was always ready to guide hikes and mountain climbs with family and friends.

Forest was also and accomplished pianist and his music always filled the house. His daughters remember a home filled with music and often fell asleep to the sounds of Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. His daughters have cherished memories of their father rocking and singing to them in the rocking chair in front of the fireplace.

Forest spent his career in the timber and real estate industry. He and his brothers formed Knapp Realty in Purdy in the early 1960’s.

He was a volunteer firefighter in Fire District 5 through the 1960’s and 70’s.

He was a devout Christian and was always active in his church. He served as Deacon, Trustee and President of the congregation at Central Lutheran Church in Tacoma. He was always ready to share his love of Christ with others and was especially proud of his work in the Prison Ministry outreach.

He enlisted in the Army in 1948 and was honorably discharged as a Corporal in 524th Military Police Battalion. During his time in the service he served in Okinawa, Camp Stoneman in California and Camp Petersburg in Virginia.

Forest’s family includes his wife Elaine, daughter Kari and her husband John, daughter Sonja and her husband Walter, and their sons Gabriel and Jacob and daughter Kirsten and her husband Mike.

Forest was known for his compassion, humility, generosity, humor, optimism, and patience. He believed in redemption and second chances.

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