Does anyone know how Joe Knapp is doing?

I first met Joe Knapp in 1981 when he sold me a Saab at Star Motor Cars, a Saab/Volvo / Mercedes-Benz / Lotus / Aston Martin dealership in Houston. He later worked for a Mercedes-Benz dealership in the Sharpstown area of Houston. In the late 1990's, he worked for Momentum Audi. Lots of customers that bought cars from him liked him. 17 years after he passed away, Joe is still remembered. 

Joe's accomplishments deserve an appropriate memorial in the Newsletter. Issue #6 (to be mailed later this month) is being printed. Issue #7 will be on its way to the printer next week, and there will be time for only an announcement.

I ask everyone who has favorite stories about Joe to send them to me as soon as possible, electronically if you can. Also need good photos of Joe.

Thanks all.

Josh

I'm saddened to learn of Joe's passing. He was the embodiment of the Club. I got to know Joe will serving on the Vision Committee a few years ago and quickly recognized that he was one of the most enthusiastic Club members, always the promoter of the Club and always the dapper dresser. We have lost another valuable member. Oscar

We lost a good friend today.

Joe Knapp passed away this morning.

-Maurice

Thank u Josh. A note will be authored this evening and mailed tomorrow!
oscar

I spoke to Helen today, and Joe would be delighted to receive mail. He is able to read, but I would suggest word processed documents rather than hand-written letters to make it easier for him.

Mail to:

Joe Knapp
11931 Briar Forest Drive
Houston TX 77077

Let's do this for Joe, to whom all ACD fans owe so much.

Does anyone have an address for Joe? Since he has been in the nursing home I have not been able to call or send a letter. An address would be most appreciated. Thanks. o roberts

Hi Bill,

I finally got the one and only Windows computer here at work loaded with a sound card and downloaded RealPlayer for it so I could view the Joe Knapp video you sent me.

Thanks so much for sharing that with me. Joe is like an uncle to me, perhaps more so than any real uncle.

-Maurice

Something most people do not know is that if it weren't for Joe Knapp, there would be no ACD Reunion in Auburn every year. It was Joe's idea and hard work that brought the very first annual reunion to Auburn as well as several after that. In the sixties, the task was becoming more than Joe could handle and he felt the festival was something the city should be more involved in. My Dad (Don Randall) drove Joe to Auburn in his 812 Sportsman and the two had a meeting with a man named Del Johnson. From that point on, the city took over the organization of the annual ACD Festival.

Without Joe getting this annual reunion started and running for the first few years, the ACD Festival would not be the third largest attraction in the state of Indiana, the ACD Museum may not have ever been started, the Kruse Auto Auction would probably not exist, and the ACD club would not have received the world-wide recognition it gets today.

The ACD club, the Kruse's, the city of Auburn, and the entire Auburn community should be thankful to Joe for what he was able to start back in 1956.

There should be a spot in the ACD Museum to honor Joe Knapp.

-Maurice

I don't have Real Player on any of the computers here. I tried Windows Media Player 9 and it wouldn't handle it.

-Maurice

I wish I had been able to know him better. Did you watch the Joe Knapp Video?

Joe Knapp's stroke has really affected him. He's in a wheelchair in a nursing home. He has a hard time talking and has to be helped when eating. I think his mind is still OK for the most part, but he is unable to express himself.

I saw Joe a lot when I was growing up and have always admired him. He would come to our house at least once or twice a month to visit. I was glad to have been able to spend some time with him at the 2002 reunion.

I remember racing in the Soap Box Derby in the early sixties. Joe was working for Chrysler Corporation at the time. He drove one of the Chrysler Turbine cars to Lansing when I was at the Derby. He took me for a ride in the car and let me start the turbine engine. That was quite a thrill for a 10 year old.

-Maurice

I am aware the Joe Knapp had a stroke earlier this year. Does anyone know how he is doing lately?

I was looking at an old video clip of Joe from last year at the 50th and thought about him this morning.

You need Real Player to view this.

REAL PLAYER VIDEO OF JOE KNAPP