"Rocket Man, I never had the pleasure of meeting you, but Wendy and your beautiful girls shared the treasure of your love. You live on in the light in their hearts and souls, your legacy is rich. You are safe, and happy, and whole, watching over and guiding all those who have loved and cherished you."
In loving memory of
Robert C. Knight
August 8, 1964 - April 3, 2022
Robert Carl Knight, son of Rolland Carl Knight and Patricia Joy Knight, was born in Iowa City, Iowa on August 8th, 1964.
Rob passed away peacefully at 1:11AM on April 3rd, 2022.
Rob grew up in Ames, attending Crawford Elementary School, Welch Junior High, and Ames High School graduating in the class of 1982. He was an athlete playing many sports growing up; hockey, golf and basketball were a few of his favorites. He won the golf championship under Jim Broshard in high school. Rollie Knight, Rob's father, also won a basketball championship in 1946, making them the only father son duo to win the state championship at Ames High.
Rob attended New Mexico State University and played collegiate golf for the men's team. He graduated with a BA in Business and Marketing in 1987.
Rob married Wendy Anne Simpson in Pasadena, California on March 20th, 1993. Samantha Anne was born in 1995 and Jenna Louise was born in 1999. Rob was in the mortgage business and in 1999, the Knight family moved from Pasadena, California to Scottsdale, Arizona.
Rob had many hobbies but especially enjoyed golfing, hiking, traveling and coaching. He coached most weekends for the girls growing up and continued on to coach high school and club volleyball. He loved to be outdoors whether it was mountain biking, roller blading or simply walking the dogs. He served as a greeter on Sunday mornings at CCV. He was a true man of God and a lover of animals. Anyone that knew him felt his enthusiasm for life and for his family.
He became afflicted with FTD, frontotemporal degeneration, a rare, cruel and unknown disease. He handled it with grit and grace. He was a warrior and is our hero and champion.
His faith shined through to all those around him, even in the midst of being nonverbal. His smile and laugh brought such joy to those around him.
Rob is survived by his wife of 29 years, Wendy, his two daughters, Samantha (26) and Jenna (22), mother Patricia Knight and sister Kathranne (Matt Cullen and Henry Cullen). Rob was predeceased by his father, Rolland Knight.
The Celebration of Life will be at CCV Scottsdale on Saturday, April 30th at 9am with a reception to follow at Grayhawk Golf Club.
Inurnment services will be at St. John's by the Campus Epscopal Chruch in Ames, Iowa on June 23rd, 2022.
While flowers are welcome, the family also asks for contributions to be made for research to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration in memory of Rob.
Memorial donations can be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) at 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406 or online at http://www.theaftd.org/ in memory of Rob Knight.
For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at the following link:
https://vimeo.com/697560911
Tributes
"Rob was the first friend I made at New Mexico State. A talented player - part of the PCAA conference winning team in 1987 -- good teammate and a great friend. Wendy - so sorry for you loss. Thoughts are with you and the girls. Mike Barry "