Michael Knepper

May 23, 1943-January 12, 2021Michael “Mike” Knepper passed away peacefully on January 12, 2021 at the age of 77. Beloved husband of the late Jan (nee Schroeder); loving father of Andrea Knepper Howard; proud grandfather of Meredith and Cameron Howard. He grew up in Desloge, Missouri. His father owned the photography studio in town and his mother was the librarian at the high school. While in high school, he played varsity basketball, was active in theater, and played the trumpet. He was also the coeditor of the school newspaper and yearbook, with one of his poems being published by the National Poetry Association. His interests in writing and photography influenced his decision to study Photojournalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He went on to fulfill his military obligation with the Army ROTC and took his first job in North Platte, Nebraska as the photographer for the Nebraska Games and Parks Department magazine. During his career, he wrote for and served as editor for a variety of automotive publications such as Motor Trend, Autoweek, Road & Track and Car & Driver magazines. He later went on to become the Director of Public Relations for Delorean Motor Cars. During the latter part of his career, he began his own business as a freelance writer out of his home in Darien, Connecticut; writing for a variety of automotive and special interest publications, and even wrote and published a book called Corvair Affair that chronicled the history of the Corvair in the 1960’s. When he retired from writing professionally, he found a new career as owner and manager of two Roly Poly Sandwich shops; one in Stamford and the other in Norwalk, CT. Upon retirement, he purchased an RV and spent his last years touring the United States, from coast to coast, and enjoyed having a different view out his front door.

Donations in memorium can be made to the National Wildlife Federation.