In Remembrance is an occasional column featuring short obituaries of CAS members who have recently passed away. These obituaries and sometimes longer versions are posted on the CAS website; search for “Obituaries.”
Lover of Travel and Spreadsheets
John Knapstein (ACAS 2007)
1969-2023
John Knapstein, 54, of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, lived life to the fullest until his death in October 2023. Knapstein was a consulting actuary at Actuarial Advisors, Inc. where he provided property-casualty actuarial support in a wide variety of projects. Prior to that, he was a director at Travelers Insurance. He attended both the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Minnesota. He was passionate about languages, travel, family, friends, nature, a well-constructed spreadsheet and a good taco truck. He is survived by his wife, Libby; sons Eli (Naomi), Spencer and Camron; mother, Elizabeth; brother, Eric; sister, Susan (John); nephews Ethan and Jack; and his adoring dog, Chester, as well as an abundance of friends and family.
The Tennis Enthusiast
Gregory Andrew Finestine (FCAS 2011)
1979-2022
Greg Finestine, 42, of Jersey City, New Jersey, passed away suddenly in February 2022. He was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and grew up in Flemington, New Jersey. Greg earned a B.A. degree with high honors in mathematics from Rutgers University in 2002. He was an actuary at Zurich North America in New York. In addition to his FCAS designation, he was a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He served the CAS in various volunteer capacities, including the Examination Working Group and the Syllabus and Examination Committee. Finestine was not only a dedicated professional in his field but also a true tennis enthusiast, finding joy in both playing and watching the sport. He is survived by his mother, Wendy; father, Norman; sister, Jennifer; brother-in-law, Garrett; and niece, Samantha.