Martin J. Knapp

Martin (Marty) James Knapp passed away on September 17, 2026. He was born on June 3, 1954 in Akron, Ohio. He was the fourth child in a family of eleven children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Lorraine Knapp, brother, Richard Knapp, nephew, Joshua Knapp, and nieces, Monica Knapp and Samantha Stuckey.

Marty leaves behind his fiancé, Tina Ferguson (Tony & Shelly: Oliver, Megan & Matt: Nora, Lucy), son Alex Roller Knapp (Jenna: Torian), stepdaughter Angie Astin (Joseph: Rivers, Amanda, Daniel, Acacia, Archer, Pax and Isaiah), siblings Bob, Cindy, Alan, Kelly, Bill, Annette, Laura, Janice and Jeanne, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends.

Marty spent his career as an aquatic biologist with the Ohio EPA and Midwest Biodiversity Institute. His passions included music, billiards, painting, travel, wine making (and drinking!), and playing cards and games with the adults and children in his life. He applied himself completely to whichever activity in which he was involved, be it book club, movie watching, or just a conversation. Marty was the person in a group to whom people just wanted to be near because of his lighthearted and continuous positive spirit.

A Celebration of Life service will take place on September 26, 2026 at 11am at First Community Church- North Campus located at 3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43221. Family and Friends are invited to gather afterwards at the Twisted Vine, one of Marty’s favorite spots, located at 1816 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW), a local non-profit 501c3 watershed activist group. (website: https://www.olentangywatershed.org/?page_id=7017)

To leave a special message or memory for the Knapp family, please visit the Guestbook.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Newcomer Funeral Home, NW Chapel, 10051 Brewster Lane, Powell, Ohio (614-964-0404).