He was a son, a brother, a spouse, a father, a “funcle”, a son-in-law and a brother-in-law. He was a leader, a friend, an athlete, a fraternity brother, a bass player, a golfer, a hunter, a music lover, a sports enthusiast, an avid reader, a showman (of half-Arabian horses), an animal lover, a former member and president of the Wooster School board, a team physician, and a gifted and compassionate orthopedic surgeon. But mostly, he was kind, and thoughtful and caring and loved his family and friends. If you were fortunate enough to know Michael Steven Knapic, you were fortunate indeed.
Born on January 2, 1969, Michael left this earth too soon on March 15, 2024, doing something he loved: putting for birdie while vacationing in Jamaica with the love of his life, Debbie (Chipps). Destined to be together, they were ring-bearer and flower girl in the same wedding when they were five years old and were “boyfriend and girlfriend” from age 12. They were married for 32 years. They have two wonderful sons Trevor and Garrett, and a wonder daughter, Hannah. His family was everything to Mike.
Michael will also be deeply missed by his mother, Rae (William, deceased) Knapic and sisters, Susan (Jim) Baker, Barb Knapic (Chuck Whitson) and Marla (Bob) Derga as well as nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He will also be deeply missed by his mother-in law, Sharon (Mel, deceased) Chipps and sister-in-law Pam Chipps.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 4:oo PM at St. Mary’s Church, 527 Beall Ave. Wooster. A Celebration of life will follow from 5:30 to 8:30, in the upstairs of the Lowry Center at the College of Wooster, 1189 Beall Ave. Wooster, OH 44691. McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St. Wooster is assisting the family.
Contributions may be directed to the Wayne County Community Foundation, 517 N. Market St., Wooster, Ohio 44691 with the memo Dr. Michael S. Knapic Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Was so very sorry to hear about his untimely passing. I guess the one comfort you have is that he was doing something he loved and we don’t always get that opportunity! Thankful for you and your family having your memories for comfort. He touched so many lives in such a caring way he will be sorely missed. Comforting prayers to your family!
God’s peace
He was a wonderful doctor, and such a kind man. His passing was such a shock. God certainly received a special angel in Heaven. Dr. Knapic is greatly missed. Prayers of comfort for his family, friends, and colleagues.
Debbie, Hannah, Garrett, & Trevor: my deepest condolences & prayers for you all. Losing Mike is a tragedy.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
I am very sorry to hear about Dr. Knapic’s passing. He was a great physician and an even better person. I feel very fortunate to have worked with him. He will be greatly missed.
Michael always made me smile.
Our sincere condolences to all who were touched by Dr. Knapic’s kind and caring professionalism. He was a great man. He will be missed.
Mike did everything the right way. Admired by so many, he loved life, loved helping people, lived to watch kids be successful and better after suffering injury, loyal to the community, amazing father and husband, and most importantly to me, a dear friend. Man, am I going to miss you Mike.
I am so saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. It has been many years since I’ve seen him…so very kind. Such a wonderful reputation as a father and physician… just like his dad. God rest his soul. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
So very sorry ! Thoughts to the Wooster cumunity, all his friends and family.He was definitely a wonderful person and he will be missed.
Please accept my sincere condolences. Our Wooster community and Wayne County were blessed he lived and worked here. What a huge loss for us all.
Dr Knapic did several surgeries over the years. He was very caring and will to listen and explain the best course of action for the problem. I called him “Eye Candy” because he use to wear awesome ties ( I gave him a black and white Beatles tie), had cool looking cowboy boots. Wayne County has had a great loss to the county. Prayers for his family and friend.
Mike was so genuine and kind. Compassionate, a leader, a role model. I will miss our talks, and how he made everyone feel needed and appreciated. Gone way too soon. Prayers and sympathy to his family at this time, but smiling because of the life he lived, and the lives he touched.
We were so saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. He was always so compassionate and had a smile for everyone. We will be keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers.
Rae, I was sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. I will be keeping his family in my prayers.
Our sincere sympathy to the family and friends if this special Dr.,husband,father, and friend to so many.Wooster lost a great member of the community, but Heaven gained a new angel.Relax in Heavenly Peace Doc.
I am so so sorry to hear of your loss.
Love and prayers to your beautiful family.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
To The Family and Friends of Mike
You Have My Deepest Sympathy
My Prayers and Thoughts are for All.
He will be sadly Missed.
God Bless All.
Norma (Beery)Spence
Hudson, Ohio
Rae and family and Mike’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Rae and family and Mike’s family, so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
It was a pleasure getting to know Michael at social gatherings at his sister Barb’s home, subsequently becoming a patient and being mutual fans of the College of Wooster Scots mens basketball games. Seeing him ‘fight back’ after his stroke several years ago, was a true testament of his character.
Rae, Barb and all of Mike’s family, please know that you are all in my prayers, wishing you peace knowing how much he contributed to the world, and how blessed you were to be part of his journey.
My deepest sympathies to all that knew Dr Knapic. He was a great Dr with a lot of character, integrity and class. I was very fortunate to have worked a long side of him for many years and he also performed 4 surgeries on me. I worked at Healthpoint for 15 years and Dr knapic was well respected and I only have fond memories of him. My prayers to the family and his kids. He will be greatly missed.
Mike was a wonderful guy. I first knew him when he played football with my son Mike at the College of Wooster. Later in life he was my orthopedic doctor and took wonderful care of me. My deepest sympathies go out to all of his family. They are in my prayers.
We watched Mike grow up with our children at Rawiga and hunting with Mikes dad at there farm in southern Ohio. Our hearts are so very sad that he is gone. Our condolences to all the family.
Our condolences to Mike’s family and friends.
Mike lived next door to my parents, I had him in Kindergarten, and he did Jerry’s total knee replacement in 03/04.
He was a fantastic guy. Mike will be missed!
God Bless the family and friends of Dr Knapic. He did 5 surgeries for my husband and I- very compassionate- caring and a great surgeon. Always had a smile for you. God has a true angel in heaven. Remember all your good times and smile- he is with you.
Wooster has lost a fine physician and leader in our community. His contribution to our sick brothers and sisters will be hailed for many years.
P. Suchan R.N.
Debbie, Hannah, Garrett, & Trevor, I am still in shock over Mike’s death. I have been so entertained by his great concerts, humor, and wit. I have enjoyed my time at WCH watching his relationship and skillful managements of his ED Patients as a nurse and I have been lucky to have had a knee replacement and a rotator cuff repair by him and Tom and was happy that his friend, came to his rescue and completed the second knee replacement with the same demeanor and skill that Dr Knapic gave. I also had family ties with him in Twin Rocks, Pa. I will miss his “greatness” in our community.
I was sorry to hear of Dr. Knapic’s passing. He got me through several surgeries and I will never forget his patience and kindness. He will be missed.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of all of you. Memories of the office, memories playing sports in Rittman and then at the College of Wooster. And then Dr. Michael becoming a wonderful, caring doctor. I pray for encouragement for you to get through this. I pray your many memories will hold you. I just continue to pray.
Mike meant the world to Annge and I. He had a way of just looking at you and making you laugh.
I hope that first heavenly ride on Cap was as fun as I imagined it was.
Rest easy my friend until we meet again.
Mike did at least 5 surgeries on me. Not just a doctor but a friend to all his patients. He will be missed by many. May God be with his family and coworkers during these tough times.
My condolences to the Knapic family. Mike was a neighbor, friend and fellow horse enthusiast and a very, very good and kind man that will be greatly missed.
The entire Virginia King family is so sorry for your loss. We are thinking of all of you at this time. Love you all very much. We know what a great loss this is, and Mike will be so missed.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS HE WAS IN THE SAME CLASS AS OUR SON MIKE IN RITTMAN SCHOOL
My prayers and sympathy to the Knapic family. Michael made a positive difference to the world!
Our hearts were broken upon hearing of our friend, Mike’s, passing. We were so proud of him and what he has had to overcome and still remain the kind and generous man we had grown to love and know. We pray God will bless his wonderful wife Deb and family and may Mike and Cappacinno ride merrily into a beautiful sunset together again.
I look forward to seeing you again. Maybe this time we will laugh about your accident. God called you home as he does all of us. I remember you well.
So sorry for your lost! Our prayers will go out for your family
Debbie and family, I had the pleasure of knowing Mike for a number of years from Wooster Orthopaedics. He was a great man that will be missed by many. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
This literally breaks my heart to hear of his passing what a great man great surgeon he saved my life and my leg I loved joking with him when I go in for my appointments what a bright shining star he was he’ll truly be missed prayers to the family co-workers and anybody that knew him rest in peace my friend and surgeon
Condolences to the family, friends and colleagues. Will be sadly missed, he was nice doctor, had a great bedside manner.
My very deepest sympathy for your loss.
Micheal was a very accomplished man. I worked with his father and sister Sue. They were so proud of him and loved him deeply. My son was born in the same month and year. The pain you must feel is palpable! I also worked with Rae. He got his drive and talents honestly. I always admired the love they had for each other. My sympathy and prayers are with Debby, their lovely children, his mother Rae and sisters, his mother-in-law Sharon (my friend) and sister-in-law Pam.
The years spent with Dr. Mike and Setting Sun are some of the best memories I have.
His guidance helped shape who I am today and I am very proud to have known him.
Rest in peace Dr. Mike. You did more for me than you ever knew and I can’t thank you even.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Dr. Knapic’s family and friends. He did my knee replacement and my Husband’s Shoulder.
My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Michael Knapic”s family and friends. He did my knee replacement and my Husbands shoulder .
So sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. I ran into him this fall and we had a great visit. I am thankful for that time with him. Thoughts and prayers to family members.
A great doctor went to heaven
Those twinkling blue eyes, that wonderful smile, those warm hugs, and that wonderful caring way he had about him. These things made him special to so many people, especially his patients, of which I was one, many times over. The news of his passing has left me brokenhearted. I cannot find the words to express how sad I am for his family, I pray that God can comfort them at this time. The loss is great to them, and the Wooster community, such a fine, strong, man. To see him fight back after his stroke left me with so much admiration for his strong spirit. I feel as if we bonded during the months of rehab that challenged me after a knee surgery infection, which we fought together. I so wish that he had been blessed with a longer life span, but happy that he enjoyed his life as much as he did. He accomplished so much in his time here with us. My very deepest sympathy for his loved ones. RIP dear Michael.
Our sincerest condolences.
Stephe Rousseau here. From one rhythm section player (drummer) to another brother (Mike on bass) he held down the bottom in the band and in his life. The Lord grooves in mysterious ways. Gracious, giving and always with a smile. I’m happy to have known him.
I was shocked to hear of his passing – too young. I only knew him briefly from the horse shows where I worked in the office. He seemed to be a great guy and his passing will be felt deeply by his family and friends. Please know that our loved ones live on as long as we keep them in our hearts and speak their names. You have my deepest condolences ❤️
Sending healing prayers and comfort during this tough time. Dr. Mike’s passing is a great loss to his family and friends, the Wooster community, College of Wooster, CoW Athletic Department and Fighting Scots Football. He has done so much for so many of us. We will always cherish the wonderful memories and he will be forever missed.
My heartfelt condolences to the entire Knapic family and to all who knew and loved Mike. Gone way too soon.
I was very sad to hear to hear of Mike’s passing. I was his first grade teacher, and I have such happy memories of the intelligent, charming, and thoughtful little boy he was . I knew he would find success and make a difference in this world.
My condolences to Mike’s family. Tonia Patti Mazey
There are no words to express how truly profound a loss your family is experiencing. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I worked with Dr Knapic. He was always so pleasant to work with, very funny and a skilled and caring surgeon. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
The memories with Mike will always be special. The times of pitching quarters in the barn (taking his money), riding together, (Bugs will be glad to see him), his medical advice and everything in-between will be missed.
He was always just a call or text away.
Mike’s friendship and honesty will be remembered as a model to live up to.
I pray for blessing and comfort for Debbie and the kids.
Dear Debbie, Hannah, Garrett & Trevor-
Time stood still for me and my family when we learned of Michael’s passing. I am sending you our sincere and deepest sympathys. There isn’t enough space here to tell you what all came to our mind when thinking of him and your family. The little short moments we got to know him were either filled with laughter or kindness and care. He was special for sure. What else comes to mind is, that time is the most prescious and valuable thing on earth. We need to spend time wisely with our loved ones , make actual efforts for special moments, because time is running, we can’t buy it or get it back. And it seems Michael made the most of everything during his time on earth. He loved, he lived, he laughed,he cared, he gave he was just awesome ❣️ Sending you all hugs and strength and positivity to go on without him.
Good. Good. Man. So sorry he left this earth so young.GOD BLESS DEBBIE AND ALL THE FAMILY