Beloved Ex Cupertino City Manager Dies, But Spirit Lives On

CUPERTINO, CA — A man described as a helpful, wise, soulful storyteller has died, but now the people who knew and loved him are telling his tale now.

Former Cupertino City Manager Dave Knapp, who was on the job between 2000 and 2012, died June 19 after battling pleural mesothelioma since he was diagnosed in 2016. He was 78.

“This is incredibly sad news for our City,” said Councilman Rod Sinks, who worked with Knapp during his last year at Cupertino. “Dave was an inspiring leader who brought the community together. When he spoke, whether to our residents or employees, people took pride in our city. When he made an ask, people stood up eager to participate.”

Webster's may have run out of adjectives to describe his persona, one that soon makes it clear when you meet Knapp that he's a good go-to, point person to know. Other descriptions that came to mind to those who knew him were friendly, approachable, thoughtful and intelligent, in addition to genuine, charismatic, golden and caring.

City Clerk Grace Schmidt, who said she loved and respected him like a father, said there were instances in which he showed how much he cared about his staff. He hired her as the deputy city clerk in 2001 and promoted her to the top job in the department right before he retired from the city and moved to the Chicago area where family members live. He returned to the South Bay in Los Gatos, where he once served as the local government's town manager.

When the 2009 recession roared into view, Knapp was concerned the city would have to endure layoffs, Schmidt mentioned.

"But he said, 'no, we're all going to furlough,'" she recounted. That's how everyone kept their job.

Knapp also had a knack for flipping the lights on and off when he would see city workers burning the midnight oil.

"He'd say: 'It's time to go home.' Of course, we'd may or may not go, but he'd make sure we knew family came first," she said. "He cared about the organization, and we were like a family."

Knapp, who served in the U.S. Air Force, led by example and pitched in when he could. If that meant manning the front desk reception phone, so be it. He was the type of leader that made his staff want to please him.

Schmidt noted how Knapp would open up, and the room would fill with willing listeners. Himself a good listener, telling stories was "his favorite thing to do."

Nonetheless, Knapp was about more than talk. He got things done. The city accomplished a great deal under his watch, including the completion of the Cupertino Library, Don Burnett Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge, Cupertino Teen Center, Sterling Barnhart Park and the renovation of the recreation area at Blackberry Farm.

Knapp and longtime employee Laura Domondon Lee created the city’s award-winning Block Leader Program, which empowers neighbors to connect and communicate with each other to build a stronger and safer community.

"This is a complete heartbreaker," said Lee, the city's community relations coordinator, who worked under Knapp for a dozen years.

"He was an amazing individual. He always wanted to connect with people, including the residents," she said. "What he was gifted at was putting people at ease."

She missed him greatly when he retired and even called him on occasion to share city business because he maintained a sharp institutional knowledge. They also swapped family notes because that's what was most important to him.

"He was all about the family," she said. "...and the well being of friendships."

He was married to his childhood sweetheart, and they had two sons.

“I always respected and admired the way Dave carried himself,” said Councilwoman Darcy Paul, who was a member of the Parks & Recreation Commission during a portion of Knapp’s tenure. “He had a thoughtful way about him, and he connected with the public in a friendly, sincere and informative manner.”

A memorial service for Knapp is slated for June 29 at 2 p.m. at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church located at 13601 Saratoga Avenue, with a reception to follow. The public is invited to attend.

Those who adored Knapp wondered if the church would be big enough to hold all the people who he touched. But oh well if it's standing-room only.

Perhaps a story to share about him is in order.