John Irvine Knepper

John Irvine (Irv) Knepper was born September 18, 1940 to Victor Laurence Knepper and Helen (Irvine) Knepper in Sikeston, Missouri. He lived in a number of places before the age of ten: Detroit, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; and Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1950, the family moved to Tarkio, Missouri to work on a family farm. Irv was involved in Cub Scouts, took piano lessons, played baseball and basketball, and ran relays and the quarter mile for track. He enjoyed working with flowers and won prizes for flower arrangements at 4H contests. He graduated from Tarkio High School in 1958.

For two years, he attended Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville on a scholarship. He then transferred to Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, also on a scholarship, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. After attending one year of post graduate school at the University of Kansas, Irv accepted a position in the Tretolite division for Petrolite Corporation in Webster Groves, Missouri.

Irv married Charlotte Bovier in 1968. They were happily married 56 years. In 1997 Petrolite joined Baker Hughes Corporation. Irv and Charlotte moved to Richmond, Texas where Irv was employed by Baker Petrolite. In 2009, he celebrated 45 years of employment with Petrolite and retired. In retirement, he enjoyed painting and following sports.

Irv and Charlotte had two daughters, Michelle and Christine. Michelle honors her dad for never letting her believe there was anything she could not do because she was a girl. He played catch with her, helped with science projects, and shared his love of sports teams. Christine honors her dad for his dedication of his time, talents, and love to his family.

Irv always challenged himself to succeed at tasks put before him as evidenced by everything from his patents to his drive to fight through health setbacks. This serious dedication was balanced with a great collection of dad jokes.

Irv leaves behind his wife, Charlotte; sister, Kathryn; daughters Michelle and Christine; son-in-laws John and Todd; grandchildren Briana, Charlie, Nathan, and Liam; and other family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

The family plans to gather privately to celebrate Irv’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Running Strong for American Indian Youth, The Salvation Army, or Paws for Purple Hearts in memory of Irv.