Hon. August Wilhelm Knispel

November 28, 1927 - March 25, 2020

The Hon. August Wilhelm Knispel, age 92 years, lifelong resident and Mayor Emeritus of Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, NJ, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at Independence Manor, Raritan Township, NJ, under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Please click HERE to be taken to a site showing the monument erected in Franklin Township to Mayor Knispel, along with some notes about his life and legacy.

Below follows a note written by Auggie’s dear friend and colleague Rob McGeary, to Pastor Joan Palmer of Quakertown United Methodist Church which helps give definition and humor to Augie’s life and the way he touched everyone:

“Dear Pastor Joan,

I hope this finds you and loved ones safe from the virus plague and all are well. As for me, I have had a good night’s rest. Feel free to share this email with your church members.

I was weary late yesterday after my “hard-news about August” phone call to you, having been awakened at 1:15 AM (in Idaho) to receive the immediate news of His Honor’s passing before dawn on the East Coast shortly before 4:15 AM E.S.T. By the time of my late day phone call to you, my following email-in-mind-to-you, dear Pastor, even later in the day was, well, shall I say a rare muted message from me (a word-smith) to the measure of but attaching August’s beautiful photograph taken in 2006 at the monument unveiling ceremony in his honor in front of his beloved town hall.

He was even then physically worn from years of wear in service and duty to his dairy farm, to his community, and to his God, but he shined in that photo. I had saved it for many years to use at day-of-his death.

At the 2006 monument ceremony, we surprised August and the audience before the unveiling by bringing an “important uninvited guest” at a pinacol moment (not on the written agenda) of a dairy cow to be made part of His Honor’s ceremony. I had the honor to serve that day as the Township’s spokesperson, microphone in hand.

Once we walked the cow slowly up to the veiled monument before the assembled guests and dignitaries, August motioned to me from his seat. He said discretely: “I want to say something to the cow.” I whispered: “August that’s not your cow; the big shots here need to get going. There’s no time.” August insisted and rose from his seat and began his then slow-cadence-pace, short step-by-step to whisper something into the cows ear. As August walked, I used the microphone to explain what August was doing. Quietly, all of us watched August. Following his whisper, August turned and on the same pace walked back to his seat. As he walked by me, he looked up and said “You may continue”. After the ceremony and his being greeted by nearly everyone, I asked August privately; “What was it you had to say to a cow you didn’t know”? He answered: “I said hello.”

Respectfully,

Rob McGeary, Esq.”

_______

Given the current gathering restrictions in place in the State of New Jersey, a service of thanksgiving for Auggie’s life is being planned at a later date at Spruce Run Lutheran Church, 442 West Hill Road, Glen Gardner, NJ 08826 under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822. Please check back on this page for updated service information; again, the information will not be available until the restrictions are lifted.

Knowing how vital the love of family, friends, and the community is when someone passes, everyone reading this is encouraged to leave a detailed note on this page—perhaps a favorite story, or maybe the way Augie touched your heart—something to help inspire a measure of comfort and hope to all who read the comments.

A private immediate family visitation and committal prayer, followed by burial at Cherryville Cemetery, Cherryville, NJ, took place under the care and direction of the Wright & Ford Licensed Care Team Family. A video link to those celebrations appears HERE.

Please visit Auggie’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in August’s honor may be made to the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum, 1605 Daniel Bray Highway, Lambertville, NJ 08530. Kindly note “August Knispel” in the memo line. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated.

_____________________________

Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

See Condolences

I was getting ready to send August a Christmas card and got the urge to google his name. The death notice hit me hard and realized he passed without our knowledge. Thank you Art for bringing him to see the alpacas at our little farm. August was a jewel and my dad really enjoyed his company at Independence Manor. He will be remembered in our hearts. Rest In Peace August. ?

August became a dear friend during my time working at Independence Manor. When my job site changed I enjoyed visits with him, bringing my young daughter and the Christmas cookies or cow pictures she made for him. August’s cousin would bring him out to visit me sometimes and he always made my day. His kindness, genuine love for humanity and moral compass touched my life, and I was blessed to call him my friend. August’s faith was inspiring and I imagine that although his mobility waned with time, he is standing with God. Thank you, August, for knowing you made me a better person.

August was inspirational- an intelligent, hardworking individual who cared deeply about his community. May he rest in peace. Kathy Kolvites

So sad to learn of Augie's death, yet it was not unexpected. Praise God he is with the Lord now in his new and perfect heavenly body! I visited Augie at Independence Manor several times with my mother, Bernice Mayer, and saw that he was weakening. It was especially hard to catch what he was saying. His room there was like a museum---really cool to see all the awards and news articles displayed on the walls. I knew of his involvement in local government but my connection with Augie was at Spruce Run Lutheran Church. He was my high school Sunday School teacher in the 1960's and the leader of our youth group. i still use a table lamp that he gave Stan Hofer and me for a wedding gift. Augie continued sending me Christmas cards even after I moved away. I have the most tender memories of Augie Knispel.

What a wonderful man he was. Saw he often when he came to visit his sister Ann and Pauline at the Country Arch Care Center. Always a kind word.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

For 10 years as his aide he treat me like her own daughter! He saw me grow from getting married and have my son (gave him name after him)! I always remember when i gave birth and won't be able to work he called me everyday to asked if im doing ok, aside from that he sent me cards every week! his room is full of pictures of my son! now he's gone all those memories will be in my heart! Rest in peace daddy Augie! I missed you! You're always in my heart!

I have many fond memories of Augie. I grew up in Spruce Run Lutheran Church when Augie was a pillar of support for the church. When I was a teenager, I was a member of the Do-Its, the youth group that Augie led at Spruce Run. He hosted an annual picnic at his farm with a hay ride and softball game and lots of food. He was very supportive of all our church dinners and our annual Harvest Home. I think half the tickets were sold by Augie! I attended his weekly Sunday School class that always had a lively discussion of the lesson. Augie was a member of the church choir for many years of which I was also a member. Augie organized frequent family nights at the church where we had a pot luck and usually a sing along at the end. An especially interesting family night event was Halloween when everyone dressed up in costume and prizes were awarded. It was always fun to try and guess who everyone was (not always an easy task since some of the costumes were quite creative). Augie was also the organizer of frequent church square dances. He served as a church trustee for many years along with my father. It was sad to see him gradually lose his ability to do all of the things that he loved but it gives me comfort to know that he is now with God and is no longer suffering.

Augie was prominent in various farm organizations when I started as a reporter for the Democrat in 1973. He was a great advocate for his fellow farmers, especially milk producers through his leadership role in the Dairylea cooperative. I remember learning that he was involved in so many other community activities and groups besides agriculture. Since he never married, his town and county was his "family" and he did so much for them. His involvement in the garbage disposal crisis in the 1980s and the controversial efforts to site and build a landfill in Hunterdon for its trash brought him both praise and criticism, depending on one's views. One aspect of his common sense sticks in my mind: His farm was on the boundary line between the Flemington and Clinton telephone exchanges. Calling from one to the other way back when was a "toll" call. So he had a phone connected to one exchange installed in his cow barn and to the other in his home. That's thrifty! Augie was a great supporter of the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair. Until just a few years ago when his mobility was severely limited, he make it a point to visit the Fair each August. We'd make sure to have a golf cart ready for his use. And off to the Dairy Barn he'd head.

August was a kind friend to Mike and I. We met through Rural Awareness, and enjoyed visits to "The Farm". August knew we liked stoneware, and surprised us with a beautiful Jug from the barn, which we still display. Through 2019, he never missed a Christmas Card. Fly High Friend! Nancy and Mike Randazzo

I first met Auggie in 1978 when I moved to Franklin Township, when he knocked on my door and handed me a block of cheese as a house warming gift to a fellow Dairy Farmer from NY Dairylee Co-op. Auggie was a great friend ever since then. Cathy and I will miss dropping off cookie tins and copies of the Lancaster Farmer to him. Rest in Peace Auggie, we enjoyed your friendship.

Sorry to hear about Auggie's passing. He was such a vibrant and integral part of Franklin Township for so many years and such a dedicated farmer and advocate for so many. God has gained another angel. Rest in peace, Mr. Knispel. Your work here on earth is now done.

In memory of Hon. August Wilhelm Knispel, Sara Armbrecht lit a candle

We were saddened to hear of August's passing. He was omnipresent in the life of Franklin Township for more decades than we know. As a member of the Township Committee, Township boards and as Mayor, he devoted his life to the Township, while running a dairy farm. He knew everything that was going on. If he seemed to doze off during meetings (who would blame him) he would surprise the uninitiated by chiming in with a cogent comment when appropriate. He was also a font of historical information and was an active member of Rural Awareness. He was responsible for getting both of us involved in Township government before we knew each other, so he was instrumental in our meeting. Certainly a life well lived. We honor his memory.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.