John P. St. John Memorial High School
Class of 1956

(Sept. 15, 1938 —            )

Tom joined the high school vocational agriculture program and, as a senior, was elected Student Council president and reporter for the Kansas Future Farmers of America association. After graduating from the Kansas State University veterinary medicine program in 1962, Tom spent two years in the vet corps of the U.S. Army where he attained the rank of captain. He returned to Olathe and established the Knappenberger Veterinary Clinic which was active with the 4-H veterinary science program. Tom’s service to the community included the Johnson County Fair Board, Johnson County Extension Board, Good Samaritan Society – Olathe Board, and the Olathe Medical Center Charitable Foundation. He is a three-time recipient of the Rotary’s Paul Harris Award. The Knappenberger family received the City of Olathe’s Character Council Award in 2002. In 2004, the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine recognized the entire Knappenberger family for their service to the veterinary profession. Tom has lifetime membership in the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, and the Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association.