Bertram "Bert" Roy Knopp

We regret to announce the passing of Bertram Roy Knopp, age 97, of Bothell, WA in April 2026. Bert is survived by his second wife, Janice Knopp, his two daughters, Nancy Petersen of Everett, WA, Valerie Witbracht of Madison, Alabama, and three Kenaston step children, 11 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Bert’s first wife, Lorraine, preceded him in death after 46 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his daughter Laurie Johnston and his son David Knopp.

Bert was born in Winona, Minnesota in 1928 and moved to the Seattle area when he was thirteen. He was the youngest in a family of 7 children. Too young to fight in WW2, he graduated from Broadway Highschool in 1946 which was the last graduating class before that school was closed. Bert met Lorraine Lawrence in high school and they were married for 46 years. While raising four children with Lorraine, Bert held a variety of jobs, including work as a plasterer, electrician, and plumber. He quickly signed up to become a fireman at the Boeing Company when given the opportunity.

Bert worked at the Renton, Seattle and Everett Boeing plants and ended his career as Captain after 30 faithful years. His favorite memories are when he put out a wing fire on a new 707 airplane and later, with EMT training he was able to bring a woman back to life and it made a great impact on him. He retired early to take care of Lorraine until her passing.

Bert and his second love Janice were married in Hawaii in 1994 and spent a lot of time together traveling as far as Germany and Australia visiting adult children, boating, camping, spending time with family, and revisiting Hawaii. They were married 30 minutes short of their 31st anniversary but not without plenty of wonderful memories.

Bert volunteered many places during his retirement including Flying Heritage Museum, Evergreen State Fair and teaching other seniors how to use their computers in Kenmore. Important to his life, Bert spent his free time bowling for a church league and hunting pheasant in Eastern Washington.

Bert will be sorely missed by his family and friends. The Celebration of Life will be held later in the year for close family and friends. He will be interred at the Evergreen-Washelli Columbarium in Seattle, Washington.

Please send any gift in memory of Bert Knopp to https://www.stjude.org.