On October 20, 2021, we lost our hero and heaven gained an angel. Dr. William S. Knapic (91), of Wooster and formerly of Rittman, died with his family surrounding him at Ohio s Hospice LifeCare of Wooster.
Dr. Knapic was born on December 31, 1929, to Michael and Elizabeth Knapic in Miller Run, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. His father came to America from Austria, Hungary, all alone when he was 10 years old and worked as a coal miner and was a tavern owner. His mother made a loving home for Dr. Knapic and his five siblings.
Right after high school, Dr. Knapic joined the Army. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Duquesne University Pharmacy School on the GI bill. He then came to Hudson, Ohio where he met and married his beautiful wife, Rae. He owned a Pharmacy in Copley, Ohio until he and Rae decided to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.
With three daughters under the age of eight in tow, Dr. and Mrs. Knapic moved to Chicago where they lived for four years while he attended medical school at The Chicago School of Osteopathic Medicine. They returned to Ohio where Dr. Knapic did his internship and residency and went into a family medicine practice in Rittman, Ohio.
Dr. Knapic loved family practice and his patients. He was a good doctor with excellent instincts, often able to make a diagnosis where others could not. He loved delivering babies, took phone calls from patients, and made house calls at all hours. While dinner was often interrupted by a ringing doorbell with someone needing stitches or a broken bone set, he never minded. Payment for his services would sometimes be in the form of vegetables, pies, or other goods left in the back seat of his car at the office.
He was a school board member and board president for the Rittman School system and served as team doctor for the Rittman sports teams for many years. He was an avid hunter and won several trap shooting titles. Dr. and Mrs. Knapic traveled the world. He particularly liked it out west, where he would hunt elk. They owned a home at Lake Buckhorn for many years and that was truly his happy place where he would spend time with nature, his dog, his books, his music, and a glass of bourbon.
When Dr. Knapic retired, he and Rae spent winters in Naples, Florida where they owned a home. They would return to Rittman for the summers and eventually came back to Ohio full time, downsizing in Wooster.
He was the patriarch, the leader and backbone of his family. Dr. Knapic is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rae and four children, Susan (Jim) Baker of Creston, Barbara (Chuck Whitson) Knapic of Wooster, Marla (Bob) Derga of Uniontown and Michael (Debbie) Knapic of Wooster. He leaves seven grandchildren, Brian (Liz) Baker of West Salem, Amanda (Matt) Erickson of Wellington, Colorado, Rachael (Dustin) Ramsier of Creston, Elizabeth Price of Seattle, Washington, Trevor Knapic of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Hannah Knapic of Elon, North Carolina, and Garrett Knapic of Wooster. He also leaves step-grandchildren, Charlie Whitson of Palo Alto, California, Kate Whitson of Westlake, Ohio and Kristin (Brandon) Harmon of Pickerington, Ohio. Dr. Knapic deeply felt the loss of step grandson Dustin Derga, a marine who was killed in 2005 in Iraq.
Dr. Knapic also adored his many great-grandchildren, Brianna, Dillon and Benjamin Ramsier of Creston, Lilly Baker of West Salem, step great-grandchildren, Alex Holcomb of West Salem and Rylee and Nash Harmon of Pickerington, Ohio. Dr. Knapic leaves a brother, Ed Knapic, of Robinson, Pennsylvania and a brother-in-law Kenny King of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Two brothers, John, and Mike, and two sisters, Margie, and Kay, and their parents, welcomed Dr. Knapic at the gates of heaven.
A very spiritual person and a strong Catholic, a Funeral Mass for Dr. Knapic will be held at St. Mary s Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 12 Noon.
The family will accept condolences at St. Mary s Catholic Church in Wooster one hour before mass.
The family asks that those in attendance please wear masks.
It was Dr. Knapic s wish to be cremated and he will be interred at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville at a later date.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ohio s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ohio s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691.
Service
A Funeral Mass for Dr. Knapic will be held at St. Mary s Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 12 Noon. The family asks that those in attendance please wear masks.
Visitation
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 from 11:00 AM – 12Noon at St. Mary Catholic Church. The family asks that those in attendance please wear masks.
I’m so sorry to hear of Dr. Knapic’s passing. I have so many memories of working at the Rittman Medical Center. He truly cared for his patients. May God bless and comfort you.
Paulette Copley Carbaugh
Aiken SC
Dear Mrs. Knapic and Family,
I was saddened to learn of Dr. Knapic’s passing. He was such a kind and cheerful man. Barb, I can remember being at your home for Student Council meetings and your Dad always asked about what I was up to. I always felt that he was genuinely interested in what I had to say and gave me great advice! A true gem of a man and I know he will be dearly missed. My heartfelt sympathy to you. Your friend, Jim Trogdon
Mrs. Knapic, Mike and family, I was sorry to see of Dr. Knapic’s death. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Jeanie Rochester
Thank you for your service. Condolences to the family. Wooster-Wayne Chapter DAR.
Dr. Knapic and family, we are sorry for the loss of your father. What a wonderful photo and long servant life.
My sincere sympathy and condolences to Dr. Knapic’s family. As an educator in Rittman, I was most appreciative of Dr. Knapic’s service to the people of Rittman as a member of the Rittman Board of Education. I feel his greatest accomplishment as a member of that board was “integrating” Rittman’s elementary students. He proposed to the other school board members that West Hill School become a school for K-2 students and North Street School for grades 3-5 students and that proposal was accepted! It was so “best for everyone”!! —Donna Ambrose, former Rittman resident
Barb and Family: Please accept our sincere sympathy. Your dad took care of Reg in the ER and hospital after a particularly nasty sports injury many years ago, and Reg has never forgotten your dad’s kindness and what a good doctor he was. We extend our thoughts and prayers to all the family.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know he was much loved. I hope your memories are comforting.
My deepest sympathies to your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Marla, So sorry for the loss of your father. You are in my thoughts & prayers.76
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Deepest sympathy in the loss of your Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.
May the Lord be with you all and give you His strength and comfort at this difficult time.
Prayers…………
I am sure he will be missed by many. Dr Knapic was my doctor for years until he retired. Best dr around, we had so many good conversations, he took great care of my boys and other family members. He was old school and could diagnose everything….and had compassion for people. A great person. Heaven has received an angel.
I am sure he will be missed by many. Dr Knapic was my doctor for years until he retired. Best dr around, we had so many good conversations, he took great care of my boys and other family members. He was old school and could diagnose everything….and had compassion for people. A great person. Heaven has received an angel.
My very deepest sympathy in your loss.
Mike and family, I’m very sorry to learn of your fathers passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
To The Family and Friends of DR Knapic
You have Our Deepest Sympathy
Prayers and Thoughts are for you
He was kind friendly person
God Bless All
We used to live in Rittman
Ken and Norma(Beery)Spence
Hudson, Ohio
Deepest sympathies.
We send our sincere sympathy for your family’s loss. May God comfort and bless you all.
We send our sincere sympathy for your family’s loss. May God comfort and bless you all.
Our prayers are with your family.
sending our sincere sympathy to your family and know you will be missed. rest in peace and comfort with our lord.
So sorry for your loss. He was our first family doctor when we moved to Rittman. I will always appreciate his support when I was coaching at the high school. Our thoughts and prayers to your family.
Rae, we were so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. As you know, he was our doctor and friend. We are praying for you and your family. – Fred & Barb Wells