George Knapp

A mountain man has gone to his rest.

George Knapp, a 60-year resident of Missoula, died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at Missoula Community Hospital at age 82 from staph infections and other medical complications.

An Army veteran, George was a 1958 graduate of the University of Montana's forestry school. He was the White Pine Sash Company's forester from 1958 until his retirement in 1992.

After his retirement, he helped acquire the Hudson Bay Company's Fort Connah south of Ronan, the oldest standing structure in the state. He then led a team that has been restoring the structure for the past 20 years.

As a mountain man, he was an active participant in many rendezvous with other "buckskinners" over the years. He also donned buckskins frequently to tell the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition at venues all over the state, including many schools, as well as at Travelers' Rest State Park south of Missoula.

George was an accomplished hunter, bagging, among other trophies, the third largest mountain goat in Montana in 1958 as measured by the Boone and Crockett Club. He was also an avid skier and golfer. A group of his fellow golfers, calling themselves "The Knappers," joined George weekly at the University of Montana Golf Course during the summer months.

Born April 22, 1931, in Elmira, N.Y., George was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, John, Stephen, Michael and Emery. He is survived by his sister, Julia Romanchak.

Viewing and a wake will be at the Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway, beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 10. George's funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, conducted by the Rev. Robert Spiliatios at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church followed by burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A gathering will follow at Garden City Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Fort Connah Restoration Society, P.O. Box 82, Charlo, MT 59824, or the Annunciation Church, 301 Sixth St. W., Missoula, MT 59801.

Read George Knapp's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.