The Rev. Dr. Charles T. Knippel (1927–2018) served as associate professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, from 1981 until his retirement in 1992. Before joining the faculty, he pastored six congregations over nearly three decades. He earned his M.Div. in 1952 and S.T.M. in 1969 from Concordia Seminary, and his Ph.D. from Saint Louis University in 1987. His dissertation examined Samuel M. Shoemaker’s theological influence on William G. Wilson’s Twelve Step spiritual recovery program.
Dr. Knippel also devoted much of his career to addiction recovery ministry. He served as chaplain at St. Louis Detoxification Center (1968-71); coordinator of ministry for chemical dependence at Lutheran Mission Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (1968-76); instructor at Missouri Alcoholism Education and Training Program (1968-71, 1974-76); outpatient counselor at St. Louis County Hospital Psychiatric Division (1969-70); research associate for Social Science Institute at Washington University in St. Louis (1969-71, 1975-76); coordinator and chief counselor at St. Michael’s Therapeutic Community in St. Louis (1973-75); and as a regional development specialist for the Missouri Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (1975-76).
