Charles W. "Chuck" Knapp

Chuck, age 76, of Hampton Township passed peacefully on April 25th, 2025 surrounded by his family and loved ones. He is survived by his beloved children William Knapp, Philippe Knapp, Helena Knapp, and their mother, Inah. He is the son of William Edward Knapp and Dorothy Lytle Altgelt and little brother to Corday Mensch and Linda Sumser. He is further survived by a bevy of dear friends, nieces, nephews and his Goddaughter.

Chuck always wore a smile on his face. He was a cherished father and an accomplished entrepreneur. He was a slightly less accomplished golfer, pool player, songwriter, comedian, computer whiz, and Santa Claus.

A proud graduate of The Kiski School, class of ‘67. He shined in the classroom, on the wrestling mat and the golf course. He also blossomed in the hallways and his burgeoning new friendships forged his character and generous nature. At Brown University, he further honed his social acumen and began to feed his creative business mind. He was a proud member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and graduated with his BA in Economics.

After backpacking Europe, he took a job with Westinghouse and was assigned to their powerplant in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil as a purchasing manager. His time in Brasil was short but impactful. He would meet Inah there, his future wife and mother of his children, and the Brasilian warmth and culture would adopt him as their “gringo” son.

In short order, he would leave Westinghouse, answering his father’s call to join the family business back in Pittsburgh, PA. The family business was providing raw materials to iron foundries, most notably in the form of silicon carbide block. Chuck maximized his penchant for innovative problem solving and his interpersonal network. He soon founded his first company Magnum Carbide. His companies would develop new foundry products and broaden the industry scope through import/export trade. He was a proud, successful entrepreneur for over 30 years becoming a fixture and life-long contributor in the iron and steel arena. A true son of Pittsburgh.

Being his own boss allowed him the time for his greatest love…his family. More than anything, Chuck loved being a Dad. He sang songs he composed to each of his children, threw the ball in the yard after school, and relished the holidays. The stockings were always full. When the grown-ups were in one room, Chuck could be found in the other playing with all the kids. And while his children were his world, he found just enough time for his endearing friends, as the slightly dimmer local pool bars can now attest.

He would end his days in Florida, bright Hawaiian shirts adorning that bright personality. And he was always smiling. He wanted to be remembered simply as a nice guy. He was, and he will be missed.

Celebrate Chuck’s life with his family at a Graveside Service at Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery, Ross Township on Saturday at 1 PM. A Celebration of Life will follow.  The family respectfully suggests donations be made to the family for funeral expenses and Pulmonary Fibrosis Research. Arrangements by Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Shaler Township.

Leave condolences at www.permanfuneralhome.com