Austin Maxwell Knapp

The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are, and the best portion of a man’s life is his little, nameless acts of kindness and love. This was the life of Austin Maxwell Knapp. In his short twenty years on this earth, he blessed all those around him with the wonderful little things of life. Surrounded by his many friends, Austin filled his days with sports, music, and the love of his family and his God. How better to live your life.

By the middle of the 1980’s, team sports for kids were the big thing. Mothers ran carpools after work, and kids had after school and weekend baseball, football, you name it! For Kenneth and Holly (Van Slooten) Knapp, life in Grand Rapids centered on raising a “team” of their own. On March 19, 1987, Holly gave birth to the second member of the team, a baby boy they named Austin Maxwell. Although a brother, Jager, passed away at birth, young Austin was soon joined by his “teammates” – brothers Dylan and Jensen, and sister Sable.

With a house full of kids, Austin was always ready to participate in whatever activity was at hand. Active and competitive, he could usually be found right in the middle of the group. However, his active life was balanced by his Christian faith, learned as a young member of the Riverside Christian Reformed Church, where he was baptized. His faith was further strengthened while he attended Creston Christian Elementary School. During his school years, Austin was an active member of the Cadet program at church. When he later began attending the Sunshine Christian Reformed Church, he continued his involvement with the youth groups. Austin loved being part of the church “team”, much like in sports, and made many friends, something he was always good at. Getting together at church and at church functions gave him a great sense of belonging and friendship.

But sports were always his biggest love, especially baseball and football. Both team sports, it was on the field that Austin could show his skills, experience the joy of competition and feel the warmth of the many friends he made. As a Little League pitcher, his coaches and teammates all agreed that he had an awesome ability to get the ball across the plate. While a student at Grand Rapids Christian High School, he continued to enjoy playing both baseball and football. Austin was proud to be a member of the 2005 graduating class.

Having learned the benefits of hard work while playing sports, Austin applied the same principle to earning money. As a young boy, he began a paper route, a route he still had as an adult. Knowing how much his customers depended on him, Austin enlisted the help of his mother to make sure the papers were delivered on time whenever he was out of town.

After high school, Austin enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College, taking classes and searching for the route he would take as an adult. Like many of today’s young people, Austin found himself on the “scenic route” of life. Not knowing what he wanted to do, he moved to Arizona for a short time, living in a Christian home and adjusting to the discipline and responsibilities of “being an adult”. With a new found sense of purpose, Austin moved back to Michigan and began working for Vigh Landscaping Service. At the end of 2006, he returned to school, taking business classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and living near his brother in Kalamazoo. He supported himself working at a place called Fast Fuel. However, in spite of his busy schedule, there was always time for sports. His interests had now turned to snowboarding and Frisbee golf, and he excelled at both.

Austin loved being a part of a team, but the most important team in his life was his family. His mother played a big part in his life – beside the paper route – and Austin valued her continued love and support. He even referred to her as his special hero on his personal blog. With sensitivity unusual for one so young, Austin often visited his brother Jager’s grave. He knew the importance of each and every day.

Described by friends and family as a good kid, Austin was fun loving and willing to try just about anything. Through each and every day, he was surrounded by the love of his family and strengthened by his relationship with his Lord and Savior.

Austin Maxwell Knapp, aged 20 of Grand Rapids passed away unexpectedly Thursday June 28, 2007 and went to be with his Heavenly Father. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Walter and Adele Van Slooten and his brother Jager J. Knapp. Surviving are his parents Kenneth and Holly Knapp, his brothers Dylan Knapp and Jensen Knapp and his sister Sable Knapp, his grandparents Mary and John Mowry his uncles and aunts, Jim Van Slooten, Gary Van Slooten, Gail Muller, Fred and Mary Knapp, Glenn and Deb Knapp, Dale Pasternak and several cousins. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:30 A.M. at Riverside Christian Reformed Church, 604 Comstock Blvd. N.E., with Rev. Charles Geschiere officiating. Austin reposes at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. where relatives and friends may meet his family Monday from 5-9 P.M. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Riverside Christian Reformed Church Christian Education Fund would be appreciated. To, share a memory or sign the online register book please visit Austin’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com