MICHAEL NORMAN KNAPP

Of Honolulu, was born in Pensacola Florida on March 1st, 1936, and passed away February 7th, 2020. Mike joined the Navy as a young man and was accepted into the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, earning his wings in 1957. Mike summarized many of his Naval experiences when he wrote, "I have managed to survive several flight instructor tours, five 9-month carrier deployments plus many shorter at-sea periods, accumulating 653 carrier landings (155 at night), 200 combat missions, and over 2800 hours in single seat jets." Mike had been stationed in Hawaii several times, and when he retired from the Navy in 1982, he decided to stay.
Mike loved nature, the sky, the sea, and all creatures great and small. He had a special love for dogs and birds. For several years he enjoyed being a SCUBA instructor and the captain of a dive boat.
Mike returned to flying at the Hickam-Wheeler Aero Club. While he started flying there for the pure joy of it, he was soon hired as an instructor and shortly thereafter became their Chief Pilot. In 2004, he ended his flying careers as a pilot for FedEx, having flown with them for over 15 years.
Mike’s love for Hawaii kept him here for more than half of his life. In February, he made one last heroic flight to Florida with his son, and died at his daughter’s home in Crestview Florida a few days later, surrounded by his children.
Mike is survived by his partner of 25 years, Barbara Joyce, and her daughter Jennifer Elliott Moore (Brian), his children Norman "Mike" Edward Knapp III (Birgit), Christine Knapp Bankert (Glenn), and Jacquelyn Carrie Garrison (Jim), his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. Mike was a treasured friend to many, who will also miss him greatly.
In a private service, Mike’s ashes were scattered off the shores of Pensacola Florida where he was born.