Businessman William “Bill” Knapp is being remembered as a visionary leader whose legacy touched the city’s landscape, both as a businessman and philanthropist, and sought to lift up others and make the community a better place to live.

He was also known as a sharp dresser who was known to wear expensive shoes — and negotiate business deals — even while deer hunting in the woods. A mover and shaker, Knapp loved being in the middle of the action, people who knew him shared.

Knapp died Saturday, Nov. 15. He was 99.

Funeral services are planned for 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Plymouth Church in Des Moines. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.

Born in 1926 in Detroit, Knapp was raised on the family farm in Allerton, Iowa, before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II at age 17. He would go on to build Iowa Realty into one of the state’s premier real estate companies before founding Knapp Properties in 1992, where he led projects that changed the city’s skyline with his work on Capital Square, The Plaza, the Hotel Savery renovation and others.

He was instrumental in reinvestment projects in the Drake University neighborhood, and in establishing the downtown skywalk system. He helped develop the Tournament Club of Iowa golf course in Polk City, the Napa Valley residential development in Waukee, the Country Club Estates and West Lakes developments, as well as the Raccoon River area project in West Des Moines.

“Bill was one of those rare people who demonstrated laser focus and whose determination often led to whatever outcome he was pursuing,” Chris Costa, Knapp Properties’ president and CEO said. “It didn’t matter if it was a real estate transaction or raising money for a charity or community project. He led with his own money and strong passion.” 

Costa said one of his favorite qualities he saw in Knapp was his ability to make decisions “with his gut.”

“I’d see it all the time when he made land purchases that at the time didn’t seem to make sense but ultimately turned into great development projects,” he said. “He predicted the Great Recession, not because he read a bunch of charts about the economy or the stock market, he predicted it because there were real estate transactions at the time that didn’t make any economic sense to him, and he instructed our leadership team to keep all sales proceeds in cash investments because he wanted to be prepared for a potential downturn. Bill had a gift, and we all benefited from watching him use that gift for business and community.”

Leaders at Hubbell Realty Co., were remembering Knapp as a leader and friend who made the community stronger.

“Our community was fortunate to have a leader, visionary and friend like Bill Knapp,” Rick Tollakson, Hubbell Realty’s CEO, said. “His immeasurable influence and contributions shaped our city and a majority of the leaders we have today, me included. His entrepreneurial spirit was one to be emulated.”

Tollakson said he shared Knapp’s small town upbringing, and was fortunate to have learned from him throughout his career.

“Although we often found ourselves in competition, we always shared the common goal of being committed to making our community stronger and better,” he said. “Bill really did make Iowa a better place. He is truly one-of-a-kind and will be missed greatly.” 

Kyle Gamble, Hubbell’s president and chief operating officer, described Knapp as “the epitome of an esteemed businessman, father, friend and leader,” who knew how to get things done.

“I’m thankful for his leadership and contributions to our community,” Gamble said. “He will be remembered by his influential projects and genuine kindness.”

Kyle Krause, founder and CEO of Krause Group, remembered Knapp as a friend, mentor and partner that he deeply respected.

“In 1994, I found myself sitting in the bar at Rube’s Steakhouse with Bill Knapp, already a legend in real estate and the primary investor behind the restaurant. Bill wanted to see more energy and activity around the place, and his solution was simple: He told me to build a Kum & Go next door,” Krause said.

Krause said Knapp offered him the land at a generous discount, but that the investment, building and operation of the store would be his.

“It was a leap of faith for me, a young entrepreneur making a deal with a seasoned pro. Bill extended his hand, and with that handshake, a partnership began,” Krause said. “That moment became the first of many projects we took on together in real estate, politics and philanthropy. Bill had a way of making big commitments feel straightforward because his word carried so much weight.” 

In addition to his influence as a developer, Knapp was known for his generosity, contributing tens of millions of dollars to organizations throughout Iowa, a news release said.

According to the release, Knapp believed that people have a responsibility to lift others.

His philanthropic legacy includes the Knapp Center at Drake University, the Iowa State Fairgrounds, the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, the Honor Flight for World War II veterans, support for emergency and trauma care at UnityPoint Health and commitments to hunger relief through Meals from the Heartland. His contributions touched all sectors, from art and education to health care and agriculture.

Knapp was awarded the Iowa Award, the state’s highest honor, as well as the Variety Humanitarian Award, the Distinguished Iowa Citizen Award, the Robert D. and Billie Ray Pillar of Character Award and was inducted in the Iowa Business Hall of Fame.

In a statement from the Harkin Institute, former Sen. Tom Harkin and his wife, Ruth, said Knapp was a close personal friend and adviser in both their political and personal lives.

“Bill was a committed patriot, devoted to his family, friends, community and nation,” the Harkins said. “He was a real Horatio Alger story, an inspiration for a successful and meaningful life.”

Drake University President Marty Martin said Knapp left “an indelible mark on our community and our university.”

Knapp served on the Drake board of trustees from 1976 to 2006.

Martin cited Knapp’s naming gift to the Knapp Center and his support for the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center and the Harkin Institute as examples of his generosity.

“Generations of university presidents valued Bill as a confidante and adviser,” Martin said. “I am personally grateful for the wisdom and friendship he extended.

Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen credited Knapp for helping to transform the city into what it is today.

“Bill was a transformational leader who helped shape the growth of our city,” she said. “His vision and belief in what Des Moines could become have been instrumental to the success and growth we’ve seen in Central Iowa.”

Jim Cownie, founder of JSC Properties, recalled his time turkey and deer hunting with Knapp, saying his friend would often wear Italian loafers in the woods.

“The first time I went deer hunting with Bill and his guide, we climbed into our tree stands and prepared to sit quietly for hours. I thought Bill had chosen a stand hundreds of yards away but almost immediately, I could hear him on his cellphone negotiating a business deal,” Cownie said.

He described Knapp as a quick study, and if asked, was easy to give advice, both professionally and personally.

Cownie said the death of Knapp’s son, Roger, in 2008 hit him hard, and he would always reach out to other parents who had lost a child.

Knapp enjoyed giving and raising charitable funds as much as closing business deals, and while he gave generously, he often insisted that those seeking his support also gave, Cownie said.

He recalled a story when Knapp was called on by a Catholic nun and another businessman who asked him for a $50,000 contribution.

“Bill looked at the business guy’s $10,000 contribution and called him out for asking him to give five times what he was giving. The business guy looked at the nun and said, ‘Put me down for $50,000.’”

Bill Friedricks, who wrote the book “The Real Deal: The Life of Bill Knapp,” said he met Knapp in 2010 when he was supposed to interview him for another book he was writing about John Ruan. That meeting led to the decision to author the book about Knapp, Friedricks said.

“He told me to ‘tell the good and the bad, otherwise it’s not worth a damn,’” Friedricks said.

He said he and Knapp went on to develop a friendship.

Friedricks described his friend as an “extraordinary, self-made business leader with a big heart and a passion for Des Moines.”

“He epitomized a mover and shaker and loved being in the middle of the action,” Friedricks said. “He conjured and cajoled, he pushed and pulled to make things happen. With his unparalleled ability to cut deals and bring people together, he transformed the area by leading the revitalization of the city’s downtown and Drake neighborhood, while envisioning and then building major residential and commercial developments in the suburbs.” 

Knapp Properties will carry forward Knapp’s leadership and values, the company said in a release.

“Bill built Knapp Properties into an organization that will continue to operate well beyond his time with us and there will not be any changes to how we continue to serve our partners, customers, tenants, real estate assets, and land developments,” the statement read. “An Iowa original, a community builder, a loyal friend, and a true servant leader, Bill Knapp’s impact will be felt for decades to come.”

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Community Shares Memories of Knapp

Doug Gross, BrownWinick
Bill spent no small part of his fortune trying to beat Terry Branstad in races for governor in the ’80s and ’90s. When Branstad returned to the governorship in 2010, Bill reached out — he wanted to get to know this guy who seemed to always frustrate him politically. We made sure the two got together and shortly thereafter I got a call from Bill exclaiming, “He’s just like me, all he cares about is what’s good for Iowa.” And thereafter the two foes became friends and worked together for Iowa. Bill was an Iowa boy, through and through.

Aom Meesangkaew and Nick Apichatwoot, owners of Eat Thai, Thai Eatery and Ocha Bubble Tea & Dessert Cafe (pictured)
We have known Bill and Susan since our very first day at Eat Thai. In the early years, when I was juggling my Ph.D. studies, teaching full classes at Iowa State and running Eat Thai at the same time, Bill was always there — asking about my school, cheering me on and lifting me up whenever I felt overwhelmed.
Bill and Susan knew that Nick and I were here in Iowa on our own, without family. They opened their hearts and their home to us, inviting us to their Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas dinners, Iowa State Fair gatherings and many other special occasions. When my mom and stepdad traveled for my graduation, Bill even hosted a graduation lunch for all of us.
Whenever we faced challenges or needed advice, Bill and Susan were always the first people we reached out to. Bill once told me to use his name as a reference for anything I wanted to pursue — whether it was starting a new business or taking the next step in my career. That’s the kind of person he was: supportive, generous and endlessly kind.
Beyond being a dear friend to us, Bill was a remarkable figure in the Iowa community. His life was a testament to hard work, vision and generosity. To me, Bill was never just a customer. His humor, warmth, love and kindness will stay with Nick and me forever. We will always carry his memory in our hearts.

Michael Wolnerman, OneroRx
It was in the mid-1990s when Bill Knapp (and Jim Cownie) worked with me on their acquisition of the former Holmes Murphy building downtown. I was a pharmacist, recently back to Des Moines from Chicago with a brand new CCIM pin on my lapel. Bill joked about this combination (pharmacist and commercial realtor). He was so authentic, nice and thoughtful. It was THAT same impression I wanted to duplicate when I worked with clients!

Ron Degen, West Bank
I remember when I first started working at West Bank in the early ’80s. David Miller put together a group of local business leaders to buy West Bank and Bill Knapp was one of them. I was told to go to the Savery Hotel with documents for Bill to sign and that he would be waiting for me. Fairly new to Des Moines, I had heard of Bill Knapp and was a bit intimidated that I would be meeting with him. When I got there, the staff was expecting me and escorted me to meet with Bill. Little to my surprise, he was in the whirlpool relaxing and welcomed me like he’d known me for years. That was my first time meeting him and it left quite an impression. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Sen. Chuck Grassley
A World War II veteran, William C. Knapp was an American patriot who piloted landing craft amidst kamikaze attacks during the Battle of Okinawa in the Pacific Theater, one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. A member of the Greatest Generation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17, a bold decision that underscored how he would pursue entrepreneurial endeavors for the rest of his life, fueled by humble beginnings, his own “gut check” and strong farm kid work ethic. Bill’s zest for life was shaped by his wartime experience, surviving fierce fighting during the largest amphibian landing of the Pacific Theater with heavy death tolls on both sides. The experience left an indelible imprint in his mind and on his heart, compelling him time and again to pay it forward for his fellow veterans. … Although Bill and I were on opposite sides of the political spectrum, we’re both Iowa farm kids who worked hard to make Iowa a better place to live, build a business, raise a family and earn a good living. Partisanship didn’t spoil our mutual love for Iowa or stop us from working to improve the lives and livelihoods of our neighbors.

Suku Radia, retired, Bankers Trust
The year was 1984. The Oakridge Neighborhood had launched a capital campaign. Don Lamberti and I had an appointment with Bill Knapp. We were going to ask for $50,000. When we met with Bill, he cut right to the chase and reached into his desk drawer, pulled out the Knapp Foundation checkbook and asked Don Lamberti to pull out his checkbook so that he could match Bill’s check. I was relieved that I did not have to match anything (I was earning $50,000 annually at the time). Bill wrote a check for $150,000 as did Don. We walked out with two checks totaling $300,000. I was driving and we stopped three blocks away in the Regency building parking lot. Don wondered what I was up to as I told him I would return in 5 minutes. I took the two checks to Marvin Pomerantz and not to be outdone by Knapp, he begrudgingly wrote a check for $150,000. Lamberti and I stopped to see Sister Margaret Toomey who could not believe that we returned with $450,000 when she expected only $50,000. In the years that followed, I had lunch with Bill every couple of months and extracted millions from him. He was incredibly generous and always said “I worked very hard to make it and now I am having fun giving it away.” That was vintage Bill Knapp.