In Memory Of
Robert L. Knight
1927
2016
Robert L. Knight
November 13, 1927 — September 7, 2016
Guilderland – Robert L. Knight passed peacefully from this life on September 7, 2016.
He was surrounded and supported by his loving family during the last days of his life. His wit and keen sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. He was born in Harrison, Arkansas on November 13, 1927, the son of the late Ruth and Clifford Knight and older brother of the late Don Knight. The family moved to Oklahoma in 1929 where he attended school.
Upon graduating from the Ponca City High School in 1945, Robert served 3 years in the Navy, and then went to the University of Oklahoma. He married his sweetheart in 1950 and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1952. He worked for RCA after graduation where he developed new tubes for the burgeoning TV industry. Flight was his passion though, so he joined GE in Evendale OH. There he designed the afterburner controls for the J79 jet engine. Chuck Yeager broke yet another air speed record (Mach 2.5) with this engine in the F104 jet plane. He designed components of helicopter engines in Lynn, MA before going to Schenectady NY. He was Manager of Field Service Support, then Manager of Manufacturing Associates in other countries, diagnosing and resolving problems with the gas turbine engines used in power plants around the world. During his career at GE, he traveled to 148 countries. He retired after 33 years.
He was active in Boy Scouts and local politics in Danvers, MA, serving as a Town Meeting Member and on the Board of Appeals besides being a Junior Achievement Advisor for several years.
Family was of utmost importance to him, as shown by the care given to his mother and Helen's mother. He shared his many interests with his sons, especially auto repair, travel, skiing, hiking, camping, memory-making experiences as well as educational. Learning from life as well as books was important to him. This legacy is perpetuated by his sons and grandchildren.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Helen (Finney) Knight and their 3 sons; Glenn Knight
(Penny) and their children Jennifer Reagan (James) and Bradford Knight (Nilla); Darryl
Knight and his children Melissa DuBois (Mike), Alan Knight, Rachael Fletcher (Joey) and Leita Knight; Brian Knight (Suzanne) and their son Griffin, as well as 3 great grandchildren: Ember DuBois; Ariana and Josiah Fletcher, along with many nieces, nephews and in-laws.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff of the 2nd floor B wing of the Teresian House for their compassionate care of Bob and their many courtesies to his wife.
Calling hours will be 12:30-1:30 PM on Sept. 17 at the Teresian House and a memorial service will follow at the Teresian House Chapel. Interment will take place in Oklahoma at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, cancer, dementia/stroke research or to Teresian House.
He was surrounded and supported by his loving family during the last days of his life. His wit and keen sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. He was born in Harrison, Arkansas on November 13, 1927, the son of the late Ruth and Clifford Knight and older brother of the late Don Knight. The family moved to Oklahoma in 1929 where he attended school.
Upon graduating from the Ponca City High School in 1945, Robert served 3 years in the Navy, and then went to the University of Oklahoma. He married his sweetheart in 1950 and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1952. He worked for RCA after graduation where he developed new tubes for the burgeoning TV industry. Flight was his passion though, so he joined GE in Evendale OH. There he designed the afterburner controls for the J79 jet engine. Chuck Yeager broke yet another air speed record (Mach 2.5) with this engine in the F104 jet plane. He designed components of helicopter engines in Lynn, MA before going to Schenectady NY. He was Manager of Field Service Support, then Manager of Manufacturing Associates in other countries, diagnosing and resolving problems with the gas turbine engines used in power plants around the world. During his career at GE, he traveled to 148 countries. He retired after 33 years.
He was active in Boy Scouts and local politics in Danvers, MA, serving as a Town Meeting Member and on the Board of Appeals besides being a Junior Achievement Advisor for several years.
Family was of utmost importance to him, as shown by the care given to his mother and Helen's mother. He shared his many interests with his sons, especially auto repair, travel, skiing, hiking, camping, memory-making experiences as well as educational. Learning from life as well as books was important to him. This legacy is perpetuated by his sons and grandchildren.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Helen (Finney) Knight and their 3 sons; Glenn Knight
(Penny) and their children Jennifer Reagan (James) and Bradford Knight (Nilla); Darryl
Knight and his children Melissa DuBois (Mike), Alan Knight, Rachael Fletcher (Joey) and Leita Knight; Brian Knight (Suzanne) and their son Griffin, as well as 3 great grandchildren: Ember DuBois; Ariana and Josiah Fletcher, along with many nieces, nephews and in-laws.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff of the 2nd floor B wing of the Teresian House for their compassionate care of Bob and their many courtesies to his wife.
Calling hours will be 12:30-1:30 PM on Sept. 17 at the Teresian House and a memorial service will follow at the Teresian House Chapel. Interment will take place in Oklahoma at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, cancer, dementia/stroke research or to Teresian House.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert L. Knight, please visit our flower store.
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