James Edward Knoop

Recently, I attended the funeral of a remarkable man. He was a man who died before he had hardly begun doing all that he could with his life. And yet, for 43 years, he contributed so much to the lives of those around him and gave so much to others that I believe James Edward Knoop belongs on the Without Them pages.

Jim Knoop was a person of integrity, loyalty, humor and class. He lived his life to the fullest and gave all he had to it. He was a modern day Renaissance Man. He was a voracious reader and read on many different topics. He was very involved in politics. Jim was a published author mainly writing on governmental and political issues. He enjoyed sports whether it be the Indianapolis 500 or baseball or just a round of golf—and he was a scratch golfer too. 

When I first met Jim he was a 5^th grader at Edgewood School in Elwood. Even then one could see the beginnings of the polite, helpful young man he would grow up to be. One December day shortly before Christmas vacation was to begin, we had one of "those" blizzards. School was dismissed early, and all the students left. Teachers had to wait till the last student was gone, and Jim, being the son of 5^th grade teacher Marye Knoop, waited also. He put his time to good use. When we finally could leave, all the teachers were pleasantly surprised to discover that while we had been inside closing up for an early vacation, Jim had been outside in several inches of snow brushing off and shoveling out our cars. His life followed this pattern throughout as he always strove to help those in need. 

Jim knew many important people; he walked with Senators, Governors and Representatives, but he always made you, the little person, feel important also. When you were taking to Jim, you knew that you were the most important person in his life at that moment. He really listened, cared and tried to help when he could. 

In high school, Jim was valedictorian of his class and was awarded a Lilly Scholarship to Wabash College. He was also president of his class, participated in drama, speech, and debate, was on the golf team and ran his own radio show. There are those who will remember Jim’s call-in show "Captain Midnight" on the local radio station. He also did the play-by-play of Elwood High School sporting events on the radio.   

At Wabash College Jim became a Sigma Chi and was  president of his pledge class and later president of the House. He went on to Indianapolis and became involved in politics. He served as administrative assistant to former Lt. Governor John Mutz and executive assistant to former Governor Robert Orr. While serving in this capacity, Jim was given the unenviable task of revising the state’s license branches. As he took on this challenge, he remarked to one friend that he considered it a chance to "get a free tour of all 92 counties of Indiana." He managed, coordinated and consulted on a number of political campaigns. Jim was awarded the coveted Governor’s Award, The Sagamore of the Wabash. 

Jim returned to Wabash College in the 1980’s where he was hired has the Director of the Wabash College Annual Giving. He also became involved as a graduate in Sigma Chi Fraternity matters and recently chaired a committee of former Wabash Sigma Chi members in fundraising to build a new house on the Wabash campus. 

It was shortly after that that we were lucky enough to have Jim return to Elwood where he was hired as Executive Director of the St. Vincent Mercy Hospital Foundation. In this capacity, Jim was involved in fundraising for the new addition shortly to be opened at the hospital. He personally coined the slogan for this campaign, "Believe." In downtown, we have "Believe Plaza" which makes up several buildings owned and used by the hospital.   

One of the first things Jim did as director of the Foundation was purchase a van for the purpose of transporting those who could not get to and from Mercy for treatments. It was very needed service and is running yet today. Jim also made it easier for people in need to get financial help for their medical bills. We all benefit from these very small things that were done for us by this man. He planned fundraisers of all sorts from formal dances to golf outings and even provided free dinners for community members so he could introduce us to his ideas and plans. 

The Mercy Hospital Foundation has honored Jim by beginning an annual award for volunteerism. The first of these awards, The Jim Knoop Volunteerism Award, was given recently at the annual Mercy Foundation Soiree which is a fundraiser that Jim also began. 

Jim became active civically joining and working with the Optimist Club, Kiwanis, Elwood Main Street Committee, Elwood Chamber of Commerce, and the Fraternal Order of Elks. Jim was co-chairman of Elwood’s very successful Sesquicentennial Celebration. His fund raising skills helped the committee raise thousands of dollars which were well spent helping Elwood celebrate it’s 150^th. The money that was left was given to the city to build a skate park for the young of Elwood. 

I believe that James E. Knoop is an example of the finest among the up and coming generation. He contributed so much during his 43 years of life and touched so many people. We in Elwood will be able to look around us and see his "monuments" for many decades to come. He will be missed. 

Submitted by Genie (Forst) Boyer '60