KNAPP Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com George Robert Knapp died on July 21, 2014, ending a long bout with oral cancer. George was born October 8, 1947 in Bethlehem, PA, and grew up in Short Hills, NJ, where he attended Millburn High school. After graduating from Colgate University, George earned his Doctor of Laws degree at Harvard Law School. He spent 25 years practicing law with what has become one of the largest law firms in the world, K&L Gates, where he specialized in corporate, finance and tax law. His love for structuring and negotiating deals not only won the heart of his beloved wife, Susan, in a business meeting, but also to leave the law firm in 1996, when he joined Tippins Industries, a family-owned company in Pittsburgh, PA. Tippins was affiliated with Stonewood Capital Management, a private equity investment firm that George led for many years. Most recently, George reduced his Stonewood role and focused on his role as Executive Director of the Tippins Foundation and a director of the investment holding company owned by Tippins. George loved golf, singing with the church choir and worship team, walks on the beach, reading, cooking, solving difficult problems and having a good laugh. In recent months, he could be found poolside, tackling devious crossword puzzles with his trusty sidekick, baby girl, and rescue dog, Sophie. He was quietly known for his private philanthropic efforts and established the Fellowship Fund at Ponte Vedra Presbyterian church to aid folks who have fallen suddenly on rough times. He leaves behind his loving wife, the saintly, creative Susan Rutter Knapp, and his three wonderful children, Katherine (Pittsburgh, PA), Laura Knapp Mazzotta (Dino) (Stormville, NY), and Sarah (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL), and his two darling grandchildren, Emma and Gabriel Mazzotta. He is also survived by his mother, Adelaide (Newton, NJ) and his sister, Barbara Lawshe (Blairstown, NJ). His father, Donald, and brothers, Michael and Richard, preceded him in death. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 26th at 11:30am at Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please honor George by donating to the Fellowship Fund at Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church, 4510 Palm Valley Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. Please sign the online guestbook at www.pontevedravalley.com.