George Knaphus was born on August 31, 1924, in McCallsburg, Iowa. He graduated from McCallsburg High School in 1942 and entered the Army early the following year. Knaphus earned the Bronze Star for his service in Europe during World War II. He then attended the Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa) and graduated in 1949. He earned his M.S. (1951) and his Ph.D. (1964) in plant pathology from Iowa State University.



During the 1950s, Knaphus returned to McCallsburg where he farmed, held various leadership positions in Bethany Lutheran Church, served on the school board, was a Warren Township trustee for fifty years, and was an active member of the American Legion. In 1958, he became principal and teacher in the McCallsburg High School and taught science classes at Nesco High School until 1962.



Knaphus was hired by Iowa State University to work in the teacher education program and in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology as Instructor (1962-1965), Assistant Professor (1968-1972), and Professor (1972-2000). Among the many awards he received were the Governor's Science Medal, the Distinguished Science Award by the Iowa Academy of Science, and Professor of the Year (1995). He was also posthumously awarded a Distinguished Service Award (2000) by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.



Knaphus married Marie Gjenvick. Knaphus died on May 20, 2000.