In Memory
Andy Knapp†
SAP Tour Organiser & Past-SAP Tour Tailman
SAP Tour Website-master
Irreplaceable Good Friend
Your presence and creative talent will be missed
Eulogy
When I think of Andy I think of
Motorcycle adventures, Website Creation, Intensive Conversations,
Good Food & Drink, Music, Learning Tolerance, but most of all - Respect.
Now all of these things are just a large barrier of memories surrounding my heart.
Andy faced
his life style with courage and a determination that left me in awe.
He was determined and independent.
He was stubborn as a mule.
Woe to the person that tried to control him.
To talk down to him, to make him be what they thought he should be.
He kept himself in check largely with a mental self discipline
that I can only admire.
Andy
first came to Switzerland to tour the Alps in 1991.
I knew my friend enjoyed these trips immensely because he returned for the
following 10 years.
Over this time I could see that his love for touring
the Alps intensified so much so that
he regularly extended his summer
vacations to make Switzerland his home from home.
He was indeed recognised
from afar and well loved
by many of the local inhabitants of Martigny and
Saxon.
Andy’s last trip to Switzerland was made just a few years ago
when, secretly,
he got together with Wendy, Geoff and Vic and came to
visit…
I came home from work to find Andy sitting there
with a smile on his
face that went from ear to ear.
He always said
it was well worth the effort to be there again and
to see that gob-smacked expression on my face that day.
Andy and I shared many “up’s and
down’s” during our active motorcycling times
and when we were no longer
busting Alp’s and Passes together
he stayed actively involved with the
motorbike scene.
His hunger and desire never entirely diminished for the biker life style
and he turned his talent to creating a number of motorcycle website’s
which remain today for all to see as some of Andy’s creative legacy’s.
Over many years Andy and I talked
daily over the internet.
He was often to be seen on the web-cam with a wry smile.
I can not remember him ever being bitter with his words.
Andy had incredible patience and always good advice.
I looked up to him in many ways as my mentor.
He was always ready to advise me on many things.
Like what kind
of camera or lap top to buy.
Even good
beer’s and outstanding single malt whiskey’s.
I know Andy enjoyed doing my shopping for me!
He would often say “use the
“KISS”
method Jed
Keep It Simple Stupid”
Andy could also laugh at himself,
His visiting cards described him as
“A legend in his own lunchtime”
He ended his email correspondence with the words:-
All The Best.
ANDY
A car is a means of transport but a motorcycle is a way of life
Happiness is not around the next bend... Happiness IS the next bend
”Eat Right, Exercise, Die Anyway.”
Andy’s
catchphrases that described his outlook on life were
“Sounds
Reasonable”
or
“No Worries
Cobber”
Andy you have
left a space - and a large one at that.
I hope you are at peace in heaven now or knowing you
you are probably riding
your
GoldWing over some distant Swiss Alp or Pass.
I am here to
grieve for you today
I am also here to celebrate and remember our time together
It is not
really a time to shed many tears,
But to be
thankful that I was given the chance
To have know the man and my good
friend
Andrew Spencer Knapp.
I would now like to read a poem from Vic and myself in memory of Andy
“The Seasons Gone By”
In spring - We call to see a friend
To start a new journey
Try to amend
But things happen
The Seasons Gone By.
In summer – A chat on the internet
A telephone conversation
A post card from a far off land
The laughter, fond memories
Like the good times
The Seasons Gone By.
In autumn – The days grow shorter
leaves fall from the trees
Friends are so far away
The Seasons Gone By.
In winter – The nights are long
Seasonal greetings are in the air
Friends rejoice and try to remember
The Seasons Gone By.
“No Worries Cobber”
Jeremy (Jed) Halpern
