Robert D. Knight

Robert Dewey Knight was called home to Heaven and the loving embrace of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Nov. 12; he was surrounded by his family.

Born May 14, 1936 in Center, Colo. to Theodore Roosevelt Knight and Wilda Irene Stephens, Bob spent the majority of his adolescence in Twin Falls, Idaho, after the family moved there in 1939.

After graduating from Twin Falls High School in 1955, Bob (or Rob, as he liked to be called later in life) attended the University of Idaho before beginning a management training course for J.J. Newberry Company in Twin Falls. J.J. Newberry would transfer him twice: once to Bellevue, Wash. and the second time to Everett, Wash, where he worked as an assistant manager. There he met his future wife, Ethel Elaine Schmidt in 1958.

Bob and Ethel married on Jan. 17, 1959; shortly thereafter Bob was drafted into the Army. After reporting for duty at Fort Ord, near Monterrey, Calif., Ethel joined him, where they lived for two years before moving back to Washington. Bob served four more years in the National Guard and was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

They returned to Washington in August 1961 to await the birth of their first child, Tracy in November. Daughter, Lori was born in March 1965 and son, Todd arrived in January 1967. Bob and Ethel raised their children in Ethel’s hometown of Everett, settling in the Silver Lake area.

Initially, Bob worked swing shift for Nord Doors and sold appliances during the day. A job at a title company, and membership in the Jaycees led to his employment for Snohomish County as a senior community planner. He later worked for King County in the same capacity, retiring after 20 years. Bob was a small-time real estate developer in both Washington and Arizona for the next 40 years, and was involved in the first Costco building lease in south Seattle.

Following his retirement, Bob got restless and decided to take a part-time position with Gray Line Tours in Seattle. He loved sharing the beauty and history of the Pacific Northwest, while interacting with folks from all walks of life. In the last 11 years of his life, Bob enjoyed the snowbird lifestyle, wintering in Fountain Hills.

A devout Christian, Bob worshiped at Everett First Baptist Church (FBC) where he served on the board of trustees for several years. In later years, he participated in Senior Adult Ministries at FBC. Upon moving to Mukilteo, he enjoyed fellowship at Northshore Christian Church. He also attended First Baptist Church in Fountain Hills and sang in the choir.

Bob enjoyed reading biographies and history books, discussing business and politics, and the finer things in life. He loved traveling and cruising with Ethel, family, and friends, visiting destinations across North America, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Europe. A social butterfly, Bob loved visiting with people and hearing their stories. He especially enjoyed events with friends and family in Washington, Arizona, and Idaho. He treasured time spent with his grandchildren.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Wilda Knight; sister and brother-in-law, Eunice and LeeRoy Rehwalt; brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Ethelle Knight; and his in-laws Walter and Leah Schmidt.

He leaves behind his wife, Ethel Elaine; daughters, Tracy Dickinson (Joseph) and Lori Knight-Ackerman; son Todd; grandchildren, Jessica Dickinson, Meghan Jordan (Matthew) and Ryan Ackerman.; brother and sister-in-law, Wes and Carol Prinzen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family extends thanks to Dr. Steven Dahlberg for his care and compassion.

Should you wish to make a donation in Bob’s memory, gifts can be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.

A remembrance of life service was held at 2 p.m., Dec. 4, 2017 at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4504 Broadway, Everett, Wash.