Long-time Fans of Bainbridge Gardens Will Likely Remember Tim Knapp, the Nursery’s Former Horticulturist Who Passed Away Recently

If you’re a gardener and a fan of Bainbridge Gardens, you might have encountered Tim Knapp once or twice over the years while searching for that elusive tomato plant or some rare seeds to accompany your Hibiscus. Tim worked at Bainbridge Gardens for about 25 years and also volunteered for nearly as many years at the annual Rotary Auction and Rummage Sale, working in the Lawn & Garden Department.

The Island Wanderer doesn’t make a habit of running obits or remembrances of islanders who’ve passed away, but in Tim’s case we felt that he might have touched just enough lives during his time at Bainbridge Gardens to make an exception. A celebration of Tim’s life was held this past weekend at the Filipino Hall.

Timothy “Tim” Elmer Knapp, 77, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, after a courageous battle with cancer, according to his friend Whitney Lane, who provided us with the following information:

“Tim was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, on December 16, 1947, to Elmer and Elrena Knapp. He grew up on a farm, loving the outdoor life until he moved to Wahoo, Nebraska, when he was 15. He graduated from high school in Wahoo and went on to attend Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, majoring in Teaching and minoring in Art. After several years, he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he completed his teaching degree at the University of Nebraska.”

“Soon after he graduated, Tim moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where he taught elementary school. He soon expanded his education into social work and paralegal studies. A few years later, he decided to return to his roots in Nebraska and began working for the State of Nebraska, assisting families with child support issues. He found this work fulfilling but increasingly realized his heart was in the garden and started working for local nurseries in Omaha. This transition led Tim to realization that what truly made him happy was when he was planting and planning the perfect garden for not just himself but for others.”

“Upon visiting friends in the Pacific Northwest, Tim found the charm and beauty of Bainbridge Island too hard to resist. He moved there in 1999 and worked for Bainbridge Gardens as a horticulturist – a position he held for 25 years. Tim spoke often about his love of working with the customers and staff at Bainbridge Gardens – creating wreaths out of the beautiful conifer greens that surrounded him daily, teaching customers to make their own, and gifting family and friends with a wreath every Christmas.”

“One of his biggest joys working at Bainbridge Gardens was dressing up as The Great Pumpkin for the Halloween Pumpkin Walk every year. Along with Tim’s talent for growing beautiful flowers, he was an avid collector of antiques and unusual trinkets. He often had “pop-up” sales at his home or gifted his “special finds” to family and friends.

“One of the highlights of Tim’s year was volunteering for the Lawn & Garden section at the Bainbridge Rotary Auction and Rummage Sale. He especially enjoyed perusing the “LOO” (Land of Opportunity,) an area of free stuff available to volunteers during set up week before the sale. His garden and home were full of his many “finds” including a “forest” of colorful patio umbrellas!”

“Tim also enjoyed traveling to destinations throughout the world, but he never missed a yearly visit to Lincoln, Nebraska, to be with family and friends. He loved revisiting the Sunken Gardens in Lincoln, enjoying family dinners and going out to eat to local favorites or the newest place around the corner with his old friends in Omaha. With Tim, you never had a dull moment; he leaves his family and friends with hearts full of memories.”

“He has celebrated continuous sobriety since February 15, 1980 and has been a beloved member of Alcoholics Anonymous in both Omaha, Nebraska and Bainbridge
Island, Washington. One of the many services Tim performed in the AA community, was starting a GLBTQIA+ meeting at the Congregational Church in Suquamish, helping many alcoholics during a time when the queer community was seeking its place among the broader fellowship of AA.

Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Elrena Knapp and his brother, Terry Knapp. Tim is survived by his sister, Retha Knapp (her partner, Mike Hudkins), his
sister-in-law, Sherry Knapp, as well as his nephews, nieces and their spouses, and his great nephews and great nieces, all of Lincoln, NE.

For questions or more information, please contact Whitney Lane at whitneym@olympus.net. As a tribute to Tim, donations may be made to the One Call for All, Boys & Girls Club of Bainbridge Island. https://onecallforall.org/boys-girls-club-of-bainbridge-island/.

More Information: Bainbridge Gardens, Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island | People of Action