Terry Knoepfle
Terry William Knoepfle, 59, Fargo, ND passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. He was born on October 10, 1956 to Lyle and Mary (Hunter) Knoepfle in Bottineau, ND. He was raised on the family farm near Gardena, ND and he graduated from Bottineau High School in 1974.
Terry earned an associate’s degree in accounting from Minot State University – Bottineau in 1976, and Bachelor’s Degree in accounting in 1978 and juris doctor (law) degree in 1981, both from UND. While serving as trust counsel for a large, regional trust company, he also graduated, with honors, from the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University.
For over 20 years, Terry was an associate professor of taxation and business law at North Dakota State University where he received several awards including the national Ralph Hoeber Research Award, the Outstanding Educator Award from the North Dakota Society of CPAs, NDSU Advisor of the Year Award, as well as the Teacher of the Year Award, Preferred Accounting Professor Award, and Advisor of the Year Award in the NDSU College of Business.
Terry was a Certified Public Accountant and maintained a private law practice in Fargo limited to estate/trust law, tax law, and elder law. He was the author of several publications and frequently presented seminars to professionals and the public.
An active member of the community and his profession, Terry’s past leadership roles included treasurer and director of the United Way, president and director of the Red River Valley Estate Planning Council, and secretary/treasurer of Cass County Bar Association. He was active in church and community activities, and provided leadership as a director on the board of the NDSCPAs and several local and regional organizations. In addition to membership in the North Dakota, Cass County, and American Bar Associations, Terry was a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
Terry’s hobbies included reading, traveling, eating, and working and relaxing on the family farm.
Terry is survived by his mother, Mary; and 10 cousins who adored him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lyle.
Terry requested memorials be made to Mayo Clinic Department of Development, 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 to assist in research for MSA (Multiple System Atrophy).
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May Terry have eternal peace and joy with our loving God. He was a fine man and a man of great faith who used and developed his gifts and shared them with others. May his legacy live on in all who knew him.
Fr. Tim Bushy
Mary, I was so sorry to hear about Terry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the days to come. May God surround you with His strength, peace, and love. Take care.
Mary,
Our sympathy to you. Terry lived a life to be proud of. It is sad to have it end so soon. He will be missed by many friends.
I got to know Terry through the ND Society of CPAs, and he was someone I always looked forward to catching up with at our Annual Convention. Unfortunately, the past few years I have been disappointed by not being able to do so. I was so sad to learn that he had passed. He will truly be missed by so many people for so many different secondary reasons, but most importantly, we will all miss him as a friend. So sad to lose him, but thankfully, he is now at peace.
I was a colleague of Terry’s in the College of Business at NDSU (where he is a Professor Emeritus), We all missed Terry greatly after he left NDSU. He was an exceptional professor and friend. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Terry was a valued colleague and friend of mine in the College of Business at NDSU (where he is an Emeritus Associate Professor). He made valuable contributions in making the College of Business what it is today. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Terry K will be greatly missed.
My sympathies to Terry’s family. He was a classmate to me in Bottineau. He was a fun, energetic, friendly and very outgoing person to be around. When a loved one becomes a memory…memories become treasures. You have many treasures. He is at peace not and no more pain. God’s blessing to you.
Terry and I worked together at NDSU for many years. I always enjoyed being around Terry. He just made the day a little brighter. I will miss him.
Mary-
So sorry to see the loss of Terry. My dad always loved visiting with him, Lyle and you. My mom sends her love as well. God Bless his memory and you.
Terry was my professor and student advisor at NDSU and I admired him not only for his expertise in tax and law, but also for the genuine interest he took in his students and the time he spent mentoring them. He did so much to help his students achieve their highest potential; he will be greatly missed.
Mary – You have many reasons to be proud of your son. He had many professional accomplishments, but I will remember him for something else and I hope you will take some pride in it yourself since, I suspect, you had a part in it. Terry and I would have lunch a few times a year before his condition didn’t allow it any more. When the food arrived and I was ready to start my meal, it was always Terry who suggested that we pause and say grace. Because of his example, I’m getting better at giving thanks before lunch, particularly when I’m at Applebee’s on 13th Avenue. I admired his faith.
Mrs. Knoepfle,
Terry and I were classmates while growing up in Bottineau. I knew him to be very intelligent and also a very kind friend. So it is no surprise that he grew to be so successful and was admired and loved by all whose lives he touched. I am saddened to hear of his passing yet encouraged that he is now safely resting in our Heavenly Father’s arms, free from suffering and pain.
My sincere sympathy and prayers to you and family.
Dear Mary, I was so very sorry to hear about Terry’s passing. My sisters and I will never forget when he used to ride his bike over to our house to play with all of us. We had such a great time with him. He was a kind and accomplished man and he will be sorely missed by many. A big hug to you!
Dearest Mary, I cannot describe in words how sad I am for you. I know God has a plan but this one really hurt. No one deserves pain and misery, I guess it was just Terry’s turn.
Mary I pray that God gives you strength and peace during the day’s ahead of Terry’s absence. I also pray for you to gain strength and acculmate the new normal. When it is time for you to come home to Bottineau I hope to see you, greet you and hug you in the way that Terry hugged whenever I saw him.
Please allow me to help you in whatever ways I can.
My family sends you their thoughts and prayers also.
Penny Bierman
‘When gathering as a group of cousins, Terry was always expressing the joy of family. Terry was a fun cousin to be around and party with. Terry was an kind, sharing, intelligent man who did not flaunt his intellect and always showed kindness. Although long ago, the cousins reunion in Bottineau will be the memorable time of Terry, healthy and vibrant. I will miss you Terry. Gods Speed.’
A forever friend and our past high school employee at the Red Owl store in Bottineau. Our deepest sympathy to you Mary. God bless his memory.
My deepest sympathy goes out to Mary and all those who knew Terry. What a great man! I feel blessed to have known him. Seeing he and Mary was always a bright spot in my day. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. I’m sure it’s a relief to family and friends knowing he’s no longer in pain. Our condolences to his family. God Bless you Terry!!
I was deeply saddened today to learn of Professor Knoepfle’s passing. He was a dedicated professor, who deeply cared about his students and his performance as a professor. I will always remember how he would do a mid-semester evaluation of his performance with the class, and then have a class discussion to address concerns and see how he could do better. The truth was he didn’t have to improve at all, but his empathy and caring for his students was so unique.
Professor Knoepfle was instrumental in guiding me on my future career path in the legal profession, and his door was always open to give advice or to chat. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have learned from such a wonderful person, and I offer my sincerest condolences to his family. He will truly be missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I was one of the Hospice Aides that came to see Terry a few times. I really enjoyed visiting with him and his mother. You both were and still are very nice people. You both make our jobs very enjoyable. Thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality.
Terry was my daughter’s advisor at NDSU, and did our personal and small corporation legal and tax work.
He is one of he finest persons I have ever known – always so courteous and helpful. We are happy to have known such a wonderful man.
May Terry rest in peace and he will be missed. I was a student of his at NDSU where he made an impact on my life and in the twenty years since he always remembered me and took time to catch up.
Terry represented the best qualities a faculty member could demonstrate. His students are better for having known him. If they model his actions they will do well in life.
Mary I am so sorry for the passing of Terry. He will be missed by so many people. Prayers for you at this sad sad time! Hope to connect with you someday soon. Hugs and prayers!🙏
My sympathies to Terry’s family and friends. I first knew of Terry while a student at NDSU in Accounting and, although he was not my teacher, I heard from many what a terrific professor he was. Later, Terry helped my husband and me with all our trust and estate planning and then again helped our parents with their wills and end of life plans as well. We were happy to recommend him to many people. He was always so gracious, professional, kind, patient, and he took the intimidation out of the legal jargon. He was truly a class act, very highly regarded by all who knew him, and we are grateful we had the fortune to have his help in our lives. I pray he is richly rewarded and that as his family you find peace and comfort in his memory, knowing his was truly a life well lived.
Terry was my husband and my Attorney when I resided in Fargo. His mother, Mary, and I were classmates at Bottineau High. I wish to extend my Sympathy to the family.
Terry lived next door to me in the dorm at UND, so many years ago. When I met him I was forever enchanted. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends. May God give you the comfort and peace that you seek, and may Terry’s beautiful soul rest in peace.
My sympathies to Mary and family. Terry was such a wonderful friend throughout high school. Such great memories of him as a classmate and an accomplished man in so many fields thereafter. You must be so proud to have grown a son with such warmth, talent and generosity in life. I feel immensely proud to have known Terry and his goodness that came with such friendship.
Mary Froseth Berg
Dear Mary Jean,
Maurice and I were saddened to read of Terry’s passing. We offer sincere condolences to you,and hope for healing of your heart. The sisters at Mt. St. Benedict in Moorhead (where my friend, Sister Anne DeMers resides) have offered prayers.
We think of you often.
Sheila and Maurice Blada
My sympathies and condolences on the loss,of Terry. I enjoyed visiting with him at NDSU. He was very proud of his ND heritage, his family, his students and community. He loved his family farm as well. We have all lost a good friend but his memory will live on in the lives of his students, colleagues, and friends.
take care,
Curt Haugtvedt
Fisher College of Business
Ohio State University
Terry was a very special friend. He had a gentle spirit and a gentle heart. He always had a smile on his face and was so kind to everyone. I was blessed to know him. We will see you Terry in the heavenly realm! My condolences to the family.
Sandy Stock Heny