Obituary of Robert T. Knight

Robert T. “Bob” Knight died at his Boston Harbor home on May 3, 2006, following a long illness. Bob was born in Tacoma, WA on May 3, 1927. He graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma and then joined the Army, serving in Japan for two years. On his return, he attended the University of Washington. He came to Olympia in 1951 and worked as an accountant for a number of firms. In June of 1956 he married Katherine J. Thomson. Bob had a lifelong interest in the sea. He owned a North Sea Trawler, Venetia, and was active in the Olympia Yacht Club, the US Power Squadron and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He took staff and students from the Evergreen State College to Canada on marine biology projects. Fond of the Olympia Tug Boat races, he often took a group of his grandchildren on his boat to enjoy the shows. Bob’s interest in politics led him to duties on the Thurston County Planning Commission and the advisory board of the North Olympia Fire Department. He was one of the founders of the Boston Harbor Association and served on the Boston Harbor Utility Committee. Bob Knight’s survivors include: his wife of 50 years, Kathy Knight; his daughter, Karen Lauth (Bob) of Seattle, his son, David Knight (Anita Duske) of Kent, his brother, Wayne B. Knight (Dagmar) of Home, WA and grandchildren, David Benjamin Knight, Jonathan Knight, Caleb Knight, Joshua Knight, Titus Knight, Micah Knight, Ian Lauth, Hanna Lauth and Megan Lauth. Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Nettie (Gutcher) Knight, and his father, Robert T. Knight, both of Tacoma. The family would like to offer a special "thank you" to the wonderful staff at Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice. They helped to cheer Bob and gave support to the entire family during Bob's illness.