OBITUARY – JEFFREY B. KNUPP

Jeffrey Bradford Knupp, 78, died peacefully at The Tennyson in Madison on October 19, 2025. His adoring sister, Laura Knupp Grigull and several loving friends were with him.

Born on November 14, 1946, in Warren, PA, Jeff was the son of Geneva Anderson Knupp and Willard Bradford Knupp. He graduated Warren Area High School in 1964. After graduation, Jeff attended Saint Olaf College in Northfield, MN, earning a B.A. in Theater and History, and in 1968 graduated cum laude.

After college graduation, like his father before him, who served with distinction in World War II – Jeff was very proud of his father’s service – he volunteered for the U. S. Army and served as an infantryman with the First Division in Vietnam. On his return home, he served as a Staff Sergeant with the 532nd Military Police Company at Fort Dix, NJ.

Jeff always said, “After Vietnam, everything is gravy!”

After his discharge, Jeff moved to Madison, WI, to attend graduate studies at UW-Madison. After a stint as a teacher at St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Madison, Jeff had a 27-year career in public service at the Wisconsin DOT Division of Motor Vehicles. He was a long-time supervisor in the Licensing & Revocation Bureau. He revoked a lot of driver’s licenses!

Jeff often seemed larger than life. He was the ultimate showman and accomplished raconteur. He had a keen intellect and innumerable talents and interests. He pursued them all intensely and was a master of most (you always wanted him on your trivia team!). A self-avowed grump, he was gregarious to a fault, and extraordinarily generous to his friends and community – a true Renaissance man.

His bent for the theatrical first manifested at age 11 when he began marching for the Kossuth Encampment #98 of the International Order of the Odd Fellows of Warren, PA. The “corps” played a huge role in his life as he later joined the Cornplanters Drum and Bugle Corps of Warren. He was also an award-winning drum major for the Twin City Imperials of Oil City and Franklin, PA.

When he moved to Madison, he threw himself into working with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps from 1970 to 1976. He served as the principal color guard instructor. Under Jeff’s leadership, the Scouts’ color guard became known for their unmatched precision and innovation. He is attributed to being one of the principal architects behind the Scouts’ 1975 DCI World Championship win.

After his time with the Madison Scouts, Jeff stayed active as a judge of marching and maneuvering for high school bands across the Midwest for another 35 years.

He was an avid sports fan and followed teams in a wide variety of sports.

He was a hockey fan, player, coach and referee. He played goalie for a time in the Madison Seniors League. Jeff also helped found and coach the Madison Scouts hockey team in 1975-76.

He loved golf and had unique scoring philosophy. For nearly twenty-five years, he observed the tradition of watching Master’s Sunday at his condo in the company of his closest friends. He always served egg salad sandwiches, the same recipe as Augusta’s – he claimed.

Jeff was an avid/rabid fan of Packer and Badger football. A reformed Steelers fan, he was a proud owner of the Packer’s stock and enjoyed both Packer and Badger season tickets for many years. He and his friends hosted countless epic tailgates at both Lambeau Field and Camp Randall. One of his proudest moments and source of many stories was his trip west to attend the 1994 Rose Bowl.

He was a long-time member of Madison Elks Lodge 410 and loved hosting his friends for lunch or dinner, and for TV sporting events at the bar. His more than 15-year membership in the Madison Sports Hall of Fame Club was a great source of joy for Jeff.

Jeff is perhaps most well-known for his participation in professional, academic, and community theater in the Madison area. It is impossible to count his theatrical accomplishments.

He was a fine actor and skilled theater director who worked with almost every theater company in and around Madison. He performed in over 20 shows with the former Madison

Repertory Theatre and played a key role in helping the group transition from an amateur troupe to a professional company. He was an original member of the Rep’s Acting Company.

He served on the Board of Directors for both the Madison Theatre Guild and the former Strollers Theatre.

One of his most memorable performances, and a personal favorite, was his one-man show, Clarence Darrow, produced by Strollers Theatre.

Jeff’s most memorable and storied directorial ventures include Observe the Men of Ulster Marching Toward the Somme and Hamlet with Strollers Theatre. His riveting production of A Few Good Men for Madison Theatre Guild sold out every show. One of his personal favorites was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof which won the 2013 Bartell Theatre Award for Best Play, and garnered him the Best Director Award, of which he was exceptionally proud.

Jeff’s life and good works touched countless people.

A celebration of his life will be held on December 6, 2025, from 1-5 pm at the Madison Elks Club, 711 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703.

To honor Jeff’s life and legacy, his family and friends ask that, instead of flowers, contributions be directed to the Bartell Theatre Foundation 113 E. Mifflin St. Madison WI 53703 or to the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps 2935 S Fish Hatchery Rd #401 Madison, WI 52711, both organizations near and dear to his heart. To view his obituary and leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N. Sherman Avenue
608-249-8257

Jeffrey Knupp

November 14, 1946 - October 19, 2025

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