Alfred Knappe began his fencing career in Hof, West Germany in 1950. He emigrated to Canada in 1955, settling in Fredericton, New Brunswick. In 1966, he began coaching at the University of New Brunswick fencing club. He represented New Brunswick at the National Championships in 1967 and at the Eastern Canadian Championships in 1968.

In 1969, Alfred Knappe founded the New Brunswick Fencing Association, serving as its first president. He accomplished this by uniting clubs from Fredericton, Saint John, and St. Andrews — establishing the organizational foundation that FENB builds on today.

His award was presented posthumously and received by his daughter, Kelsie Shaw-Gorman.