Monday, June 22, 2009
The End Has Come
Friends and Family,
Andy has left for his next adventure.
At 3:00 AM on June 22, 2009, Andy paddled off into the night.
He was surrounded by his loving family for this peaceful sendoff.
Denise appreciates everyone's comments and farewell notes to Andy in this blog.
There will be a Celebration of Life in mid-July, please stay tuned for the details.
You can continue to send him a farewell messages, and leave notes for Denise and Kaitlyn on this blog.
Goodbye, good friend.
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32 comments:
The true measure of life is people we touch on our journey. Andy was a great gift to this world and all will greatly miss him. I am so sorry for your loss and the great void that will be left by his passing. Try to take comfort that he is in a better place and that his suffering is over and be proud on the fight he fought.
Tony Newman
Farewell Andy.
I'm sad he's gone, I'm happy he can bike and paddle again without the constraints of a body that betrayed his spirit. Godspeed Andy, and I look forward to catching up with you in a few decades (or more). DB
Andy,
You traveled many journeys,
Touched many spirits.
You fought the good fight.
Rest now warrior, many friends await.....
See ya on the water Andy......
'Tis evening on the moorland free,
The starlit wave is still:
Home is the sailor from the sea,
The hunter from the hill.
Godspeed Andy,
Thank you for touching my life and teaching and challenging me while we worked together. I look forward to meeting you in the next life.
JP
It is hard to think of Andy without thinking of the fine people at Midwest Mountaineering.
Through their efforts they allowed Andy the freedom to pursue his treatments, time to recover from surgery, and support in every way they could provide.
The picture on the website says it all: a group of fellow employees posing for the one single purpose of wishing Andy the very best. In Andy's most difficult moment, they found it within themselves to be at their finest hour.
Andy, I know you embrace them now. We all do.
Andy - you have made that final portage, with a welcome rest and smooth paddle ahead.
Thank you for your friendship.
Lili and Gordon Colby
MTI Adventurewear
Its hard to think of Midwest Mountaineering without thinking of Andy Knapp. Yes, Erik T.,we at Midwest tried to help Andy in this long struggle. And that is because Andy was what Andy is: the true champion of what we all desire to be, the ultimate spirited adventurer, living life to its fullest. Andy did it all. He was an inspiration to work with.
Rudi Hargesheimer
Andy will now be working from an infinite pedometer to track his ethereal travels. As a fellow cancer survivor, I am so proud of Andy for the experimental medical treatments he has gone through as they are bound to help out someone else down the line. My sincere sympathies to his family.
Judy Crane
I shall ever more be inspired.
To Andy and a life not wasted.
Andy - you have always been an inspiration. The spirit and energy that you always exuded will be truly missed in this world. We are all lucky to have had you in our lives.
Farewell.
Dear Andy,
I didn't know you very well. I congratulate you on a life fully lived. I still admire your courage, and I think of you as an inspiration for embracing and living life at all times. Goodbye
Andy:
Thank you for your passion for the outdoors, love of family, and for serving so many people in countless ways. Paddle and climb to your heart's content now, knowing that you made a difference in people's lives. God Bless!
Andy,
I will remember your words for the rest of my life...."If you want to do something, you figure a way to do it."
Your inspiration, your wisdom, vision, and spirit will always be with us as you continue the journey of life.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Z
Andy's energy was so impressive. When I first met him at OR in the early '90s I thought he was not paying attention during the presentation. I realize quickly that he was several steps ahead of me and that I was the one falling behind. He was ahead of everyone in most things. Our industry seems smaller without him.
Doug Ragan
Thanks for sharing your life with us ... a man that knew how to live life to its fullest.
Love you, Andy.
Matt and Laurie
Andy was truly one of a kind. I consider myself very fortunate to have shared some incredible adventures with him. Your spirit and memory will not be lost.
Pat Padden
He will be missed by everyone in our family. Andy was with us on many of our get togethers. Canoeing, sking, etc...
A better friend could not be found.
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
If I were a king, I would re-christen Andy as Mighty Andy. For mighty he was! Those of us who had the pleasure to work with this irascible and kind man are the better for it. In a world where hardly anyone can hear their own voice to follow it, Andy stood out as someone who was completely true to himself, who knew what he wanted and was smart and tenacious enough to accomplish the goals he set out for himself.
A simple site like this doesn't have enough space....there was too much of Andy to be contained here.
My heart goes out to Denise, Kaitlyn and his extended family. This is not right, it's not fair, and we mourn your loss with you.
Goodbye, Andy. I will think of you every morning when I get on my Brooks saddle, the one I got because it was like yours.
Hurricane Bob Aldrich
Denis and Family I express my deepest sympathies to you on the loss of Andy. Having just read many of the posts and detail I am amazed and inspired by this great man.
Having cared for my mother during her final months battling cancer in 2007 (just 1 year after dad died of cancer too) I know how hard it can be. Although we have never met - I would be glad to listen and offer any support I can to you and yours as one who has gone through and is still adjusting the the "new normal" after losing someone so special.
May Andy rest Peace, may his story inspire us all forever.
Patrick
Andy,
I know that your restless spirit is not likely to ever sit still, your energy and passion was contagious in life and it makes me tired just thinking of our conversations about paddling technique and trips and boats;your energy seemed endless.
Paddle on brother, you will be missed, and remembered.
Steve Gougeon
Newly employed at Midwest Mountaineering,
Somehow I was paddling across Old Woman Bay following four world-class paddlers.
One a gold medalist from the ICK Whitewater World Championship.
One a boat designer and leader of the first kayak expedition around Camp Horn.
One A famous Oceanographer and lecturer from Maine.
The fourth was the one who would become my mentor and friend - Andy Knapp.
At the time I had no idea how lucky I was.
Mot
Denise, Kaitlyn and Family,
I hope the kind words and extraordinary memories posted here help to ease your sorrow.
Andy traveled through this life with purpose and intensity.
He loved his family and friends; he loved knowledge and adventure.
He left too soon, but he did leave the world a better place.
I consider it a privilege to have called Andy my friend
Georgia
I met Andy in the BWCA in Jan 08 and it was obvious from our brief time together that he was an exceptional person. The world is less adventurous for his passing. God speed Andy.
-- Lyle
Andy,
Thanks for your wisdom, leadership and vision. The water trail owes a lot to you. May your journeys be easier now as we step up to continue your passions for the outdoors.
Paddle on, nt
I have fond memories of paddling and camping trips with groups that included Andy. Deepest winter or warmest summer fun - it didn't matter, Andy had boundless energy and terrific stories. One memorable night on Stockton Island, the hapless campers near our group camp must have wished they'd picked a different spot. They kept trying to quiet us, but soon the storytelling would start up again, with the hilarity and volume going up to boot. How could it be otherwise, when Andy was at the campfire?
One memory from the Inland Sea symposia at Bayfield is quintessential Andy. At most mealtimes he'd come in, late, after food was well underway; he'd announce that he really didn't have time to eat because there was so much to do; and then he'd wolf down more food than another three of us, talking all the while about what was happening, what was going to be happening next, and how he didn't have time to eat. Two breaths later, it seemed, he'd be away again. Andy was like that: cramming as much life and fun into as little time as he could, to make sure he didn't miss anything.
Happy travels, dear Andy, and we'll see you on the other side.
One of my favorite Andy memories is from the Inland Sea Society symposia in Bayfield. He'd blow into camp at mealtime, talking the while about how he didn't have time to eat, there was too much going on and he had too much to do. His commentary continued on what was happening, with whom, and where, even as he inhaled the food he didn't have time to eat. Moments later, it seemed, he'd be away again, having eaten as much as any three of us in much less time.
That's how I think of Andy: taking life in big gulps, not willing to miss a thing. He packed a lot into his life, and it was good.
Happy travels, Andy. We'll see you again on the other side.
My Condolencses
A long ago friend of Andy's
My last post didn't get past some gaurd or another so I'll rewrite it. I was a friend of Andys many years ago when he and I were in the 3rd or 4th grade in Roseville. We spent many hours together outside as well as drawing dinosuars (we founded the well-known Dinosaur club). I remember spending lots of time at our girl friends house (we shared or feeling for her I think) were we would play on the tire swing and at Neil Woods house raking leaves in the fall and jumping into the pile.
For whatever reason he came to mind today and I decided to see if I could locate him. I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to catch up on life and loves.
I'm sorry for your loss but we at least have some good memeories.
Sincerely,
Daniel Noll
nollart@aol.com
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