Bob was born May 6, 1934, in Elmhurst, IL, the son of Mitchell E. and Dorothy M. Hadsell McKnight. He married Lucy Mae Shiflett on July 16, 1959, in Goodwell, OK.
Bob graduated from York High School in Villa Park, IL in 1952 and proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1962. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts from Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Bob began his career as a draftsman for Guardian Light. He was then employed as a computer programmer for General Electric, Honeywell and the State of Illinois. He attended Chatham Christian Church, supported veterans, and was a life-long member of the Oklahoma Panhandle State University Alumni Association. Bob’s calm disposition, artistic abilities and sense of humor were exhibited throughout his life. He enjoyed music, theater, travel, wood working and carpentry. Bob was proud of the family home he built in Loami. However, his greatest accomplishment was helping to raise his seven successful children.
Bob is survived by his wife, Lucy McKnight of Loami; sons, Michael (Mimi) McKnight of Lee’s Summit, MO, Robert (Kate) McKnight of Orland Park, IL, and Paul McKnight of St. Louis, MO; daughters, Mary (Tony) Fuchs of Wheat Ridge, CO, Laura (Ben) Small of New Berlin, IL, Amy (Eric) Matelski of Denver, CO, and Becky (John) Lipinski of Woodstock, IL; fourteen grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023, at Chatham Christian Church, 9897 S. Main St., Chatham, IL. with Pastor Rick Wenneborg officiating.
Burial will be at Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, IL on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chatham Christian Church.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Chatham, 8855 State Route 4. Chatham, IL.
