Douglas Andrew Knopp

on September 17, 2023. The dedicated husband, father, son, friend, mentor, and innovator lost his epic,

five-year battle with colon cancer. Doug took on cancer like he did his life—with grit, resolve, bringing

everything he had. Doug was born June 15, 1966, into an active, sports-loving family in Akron, Ohio. With his two brothers, Doug became a lifelong Cleveland sports fan, cheering on the Cavaliers, Browns, and Indians (Doug never bought into the Guardian name change). He was a graduate of Cuyahoga Falls HS in 1984 and later graduated from Kent State University in 1990 with a BS degree in Fine Arts and Graphic Design. Doug married the love of his life, Heather, in 1996 and soon added a daughter, Lily, and son, Christian, to the family. Doug and Heather were a dynamic duo. They balanced one another and brought out the best in each other. There were countless examples of this in action throughout their 27-year marriage, no matter what adversity presented itself they faced it as a united front. While he was proud of his kids’ accomplishments, it was their strength of character that humbled him.

Doug enjoyed a long career in design, advertising, and marketing at agencies in Tennessee, North

Carolina, and Ohio for Fortune 50 brands to small start-ups. He took pride in mentoring young talent as

an instructor at The Modern College of Design. Doug’s fascination with the Wright Brother’s Story

inspired him and his two partners to launch The Wright Brothers USA, LLC celebrating the legacy of

Orville and Wilbur. It didn’t take much time around him to see Doug had a zest for life. He loved spending time with his family, staying physically active, reading, creating, and listening to podcasts. Doug could be pragmatic, a prankster, able to see through the fluff, direct at times, disciplined, and yet goofy. He immersed himself in all genres of music and had a special place in his heart for classical. A renaissance man if you will. His empathetic nature and ability to see the best in people elevated any room. If you were lucky enough to know him, you had a champion in your corner. He was an active volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, where he mentored his “little brother” and forged a lifelong friendship.

Doug is preceded in death by his mother, Judith Knopp, and reluctantly left behind his father Herbert

Knopp Jr of Brentwood, TN, a loving wife Heather Knopp, daughter Lily Knopp and son Christian Knopp,

brothers (and spouse) Philip (Michele) Knopp of Mt. Juliet, TN and Tod (Tati) Knopp of Franklin, TN,

mother-in-law Diana Kennemuth and father-in-law Terry Kennemuth, brother-in-law Mark (Melissa)

Kennemuth, and sister-in-law Denise England, nieces and nephews Alexandra Kennemuth, Jeremy

Knopp, Marissa (Tyler) Sorenson, Hunter and Skyler Knopp, and great niece Johnny Sorenson.

No Interment.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to BelieveBig.org in “memory of Doug Knopp,” a key partner in

Doug’s cancer journey.