One of Bill Knapp’s greatest contributions was helping people believe in themselves and their own power by taking risks they might not have. Guest columnist

Rekha Basu is a longtime syndicated columnist, editorial writer, reporter and author of the book, “Finding Your Voice.”

She retired in 2022 as a Des Moines Register columnist.

The best role models are the improbable ones ― the ones who don’t strut or gloat or feel entitled when they become rich or famous. They embrace where they came from, holding that close while paying it forward.

Bill Knapp, who died Nov. 15 at 99 , was one such role model. And Des Moines is poorer without him.

You might not have known from his small stature or gregarious laughter ― sometimes at his own expense ― what a towering force Bill was. You couldn’t h

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