David Allen Knapman
April 3, 1949 – November 22, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear brother David Allen Knapman on November 22 2023. He faced many health challenges with incredible courage and strength, and it is with admiration that we remember the enduring spirit that defined his life.
David Allen Knapman was born on April 3, 1949 to Calvin Knapman and Norma Govan Knapman.
Dave graduated from Sequim High School in 1967. He then went off to college and played football where he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals football team in 1971. He then graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Business Administration in 1973.
Dave worked at Dunn Lumber Company for seven years 1983-1990, he also worked as Ranch Manager at Sequim Valley Ranch from 1995-2002. He then worked for himself from 2002-2018 as a carpenter, painter and landscaper.
Dave was an active member of Dungeness Community Church and an active member of Gideon International.
Dave is survived by his brother Doug Knapman; sister and brother-in-law Joleen and Tim Goodrich and nephews Sean, Casey, Colby and Christian.
Dave’s beloved mother Norma Govan Topness, brothers Dennis and Duane Knapman and sister Julie Ann Knapman preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Dungeness Community Church.
Owen Guengerich
August 9, 1934 – December 8, 2023
Photo courtesy of Owen Guengerich family / Owen Guengerich
Owen Guengerich was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, a gifted preacher and dedicated pastor, and a master woodworker and builder. He died peacefully after a short illness on December 8, 2023, at the age of 89, at his home in Sequim, Washington, surrounded by loving members of his family.
Throughout his life, Owen’s commitment to his family and his faith were interwoven with his insatiable curiosity about current events in the world around him, especially those related to the Middle East and the nation of Israel. In 1980, Owen and his wife Twila made the first of two trips to Israel and Palestine — one of the highlights of their many travels.
After being drafted in 1955 for service in the Korean War, Owen served two years of alternate service as a conscientious objector at Brook Lane Psychiatric Hospital in Hagerstown, Maryland. In 1959, Owen was ordained to the ministry at Greenwood Mennonite Church in Greenwood, Delaware, where he served as a pastor until 1966, when he was called to start First Mennonite Church in El Dorado, Arkansas. He served in that role for more than 20 years, until he and Twila moved to Springs, Pennsylvania, to live near family. In subsequent years, he pastored at Springs Mennonite Church and Cherry Grove Church of the Brethren, and he also served as a fill-in preacher for up to thirty additional congregations in the area.
In parallel with his ministry, Owen pursued a varied work life. After returning from Hagerstown in 1956, Owen took over his family’s dairy farm in Greenwood, Delaware. He remained a farmer until the demands of the ministry began to overshadow the requirements of farming. Owen then began working at a local custom kitchen cabinet shop in Greenwood, eventually becoming its supervisor. After moving to El Dorado and working for a time as credit manager of a furniture store, Owen formed Quality Home Builders in 1976, a company that flourished until Owen and Twila moved north in 1996 to Pennsylvania. Along the way, Owen’s cabinet shop provided lovingly crafted kitchens, bookcases, and other millwork for his own home and those of his grateful children.
Owen Elmer Guengerich was born on August 9, 1934, in Lockport, NY, to Lula Lovina Christner and Willis Vernon Guengerich. He was a devoted husband to Twila Ann (Swartzentruber) for nearly 69 years and a loving father to Galen (Holly Atkinson) of New York City, Greta (Willis Beitzel) of Sequim, Washington, and Evan (Lynn Raynor) of Victoria, British Columbia. Owen was an adoring grandfather to five grandchildren: Wendell Beitzel (Natalia Masferrer) of Mukilteo, Washington, Krista Beitzel (deceased), Zoe Guengerich (Connor Dowd) of Takoma Park, Maryland, Noah Guengerich of Bellevue, Washington, and Lydia Guengerich of Hamilton, Ontario.
Celebration of Life services are planned for Sequim, Washington, on January 6, 2024, and Springs, Pennsylvania, on February 10, 2024.
Memorial donations may be made to either World Missionary Press, Inc. (wmpress.org/donate) or Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County (volunteerhospice.org/give.php).
Jess Nash
March 12, 1951 – November 26, 2023
Photo courtesy of Jess Nash family / Jess Nash
My dear Grandfather Jess Franklin Nash Jr. passed away November 26th, 2023 at 3:20 pm at Virginia Mason hospital in Seattle, Washington. He was 72 years old.
Gramps was a man full of character that made connections wherever he went. He could strike up a conversation with anyone because he always had a story to tell or a joke to make you laugh. He was eager to help anyone that was in need and was a true definition of a compassionate soul.
Jess was born in Louisville Kentucky on March 12th, 1951 to Beulah Bagshaw and Jess Nash. He had two older sisters Jessica Louise and Mary and one baby brother Tommy.
He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Joanna Nash. They were high school sweethearts. They shared a beautiful life together and had 4 children; Michelle, Michael, Josh and Jake. Together they originated the Tours at North Head Lighthouse in Ilwaco, Washington.
Everything Jess did, he did it with passion. He was the jack of all trades. Not to mention he could dance and skate like no other.
He will be missed by many nieces and nephews, 12 grandkids and 7 great grandkids.
He proudly served in the military from January of 1971-October of 1972 as staff sergeant.
Jess Resided in Sequim, WA and was a member of Kings Way Foursquare Church. He was a devout Christian that led our family to faith. He is missed dearly.
A memorial service will be held December 23rd at 11 am at 1023 Kitchen-Dick Rd, Sequim, WA 98382. Anyone that knew him is welcome to come celebrate his life.
Robert H Thompson
Photo courtesy of Robert Thompson family / Robert Thompson
Bob Thompson died in Port Angeles, WA, on November 25, 2023 at the age of 86. Retired to Port Angeles, WA in 1996, then to Sequim, WA in 2009.
Bob was born and went to school in Long Beach, CA, where he met the love of his life. At UCLA, Bob played football, and graduated with a BS in Science. After his Honorable Discharge as a Navy Lieutenant, Bob completed Physical Therapy training at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
In 1963, he began his physical therapy career at the Visalia Medical Clinic. Later in his own practice, Visalia Physical Therapy, he taught Biofeedback training to patients.
He was a Boy Scout leader, traveled the world, loved history, space, the sea, the mountains. He enjoyed bowling and oil painting, and was an avid Seahawks fan. Bob built a family cabin near Dinkey Creek, CA. He volunteered at the Feiro Marine Life Center, and the Red Cross in Port Angeles, WA.
He taught so many of us by his life’s values: humor, honor, truth, trust, loyalty, hard work, and his compassion for others. He was an amazing father and husband, an artist, a friend, and always a hero.
Bob is survived by JoAnn (wife of 65+ years), two children – Mark (wife/Terri) of Roatan, Honduras, formerly Roseville/Visalia, CA, and Linda of Sequim, WA, formerly of Visalia, CA, and two grandchildren – Samantha Thompson of Alexandria, VA, and Amanda Sullivan (husband/Dustin, and daughter/Nora) of Corona, CA, and three nieces, all in CA. His great-grandchild, Nora, read him a story by video, on his last day.
Bob requested no services. Please consider donating to the Olympic Memorial Hospital in Port Angeles (OMC Foundation 1015 Georgiana St, Port Angeles WA 98362 www.omhf.org ), or to the Boys & Girls Club of the Olympic Peninsula (400 West Fir St, Sequim WA 98382 https://bgc-op.maxgiving.com)
Enid Bishop
February 22, 1937 – December 1, 2023
Long-time Sequim resident Enid JoHannah (Hendrickson) Bishop passed away December 1, 2023, at Olympic Medical Center. She was 86.
Enid was born February 22, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Oscar and Enid (Carpenter) Hendrickson. She and her husband James lived on the Olympic Peninsula for the past 25 years.
Enid was a keen gardener, who embraced the challenges of moving from gardening in the high desert to the Pacific Northwest. She was a very good home cook and was skilled in making breads and savory dishes. She was a private person who preferred reading and spending time with family rather than large social gatherings.
Enid is survived by her husband of 64 years, James W. Bishop of Sequim, WA; son Eric James (Susan) Bishop of Olympia, WA; daughter Sally Bishop Shigley of Ogden, UT and four grandchildren Matthew Bishop of Columbia Falls, MT, Ben Bishop of Spokane, WA and Hannah and Sarah Shigley of Ogden, UT.
She was preceded in death by both parents.
The family would like to thank the staff at Avamere Olympic Rehabilitation of Sequim, especially Randy and Crystal for taking care of her and the Intensive care nurses at Olympic Medical Center, specifically Gina and Shae for helping her transition from this life.
Memorial contributions in Enid’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Sequim Valley Chapel is honored to serve the family. Please visit our online register book at sequimvalleychapel.com to leave treasured memories for the family.
Claude Finley Giles
Claude Finley Giles of Sequim died of age-related causes at Olympic Medical Center on Dec. 7, 2023. He was 97.
Giles, a retired U.S. Navy commander who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam wars, was born June 10,1926.
Services will be announced at a later date in a complete obituary. Inurnment with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in spring 2024. Sign an online guestbook for the family at drennanford.com.
