Robert E. Knight

Robert E. “Bob” Knight, 82, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2014, at his home in Princeton, Kansas, with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 10:00 A.M., Friday, May 23, 2014. Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Knight, at the mortuary, after 9:00 A.M., Thursday, to the service hour where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday. Interment Princeton Cemetery, with military honors by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Bob was born on Saturday, February 20, 1932 in Parker, Kansas, the son of Seth Robert and Rubie Mae (Guffey) Knight. He has lived in Princeton since 1947, moving from Garnett. He graduated from Princeton High School with the class of 1950. On May 23, 1950 Bob was united in marriage with Roberta Faye “Berta” Reekie in Princeton. She preceded him in death on March 11, 1996. He married Phyllis Welch February 14, 1997 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She survives of their home. Other survivors include his three daughters, Jennifer Knight and husband Herbert Garcia of Tuxpan, Veracruz Mexico; Linda Bischoff and husband Truyn of Williamsburg; and Lori Keffer and husband George of Lawrence; five grandchildren, Tami Hoffner and husband Ralph of Bayfield, Colorado; Darren Bischoff and partner Susan Weber of Ottawa; Andrew Record of Olathe; Bailey Record of Lawrence; and Gabriel Garcia of Tuxpan, Veracruz Mexico; two great-grandchildren, Angelina and Josilyn Hoffner of Bayfield, Colorado; and sister, Marcia Kay Knight and spouse Mary Z. Longstreth of Ashville, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Marion Dale Knight; sister, Hazel Marie Gildea; brother, Loy Dean Knight; and granddaughter, Kelly Record. Bob was the owner and operator of Knight Oil, Inc., a gas and oil company in Princeton and Ottawa from the 1950’s to the late 1980’s. He also was employed as a school bus driver in the 1960’s and early 1980’s; and Farmers Coop in Ottawa as a safety inspector. Bob served in the United States Air Force as an airplane mechanic in the early 1950’s. He was a member of the Princeton United Methodist Church, former member of the Richmond Lions Club and charter member of Williamsburg Wildlife Club. Bob was also a foster parent in the 1960’s. The family suggests memorial contributions to Midland Hospice c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.