Robert (Bob) Payette McKnight

Robert (Bob) “Ho Ho Pop” Payette McKnight, 86, passed away peacefully on the evening of September 4, 2025. He was born April 26, 1939, to Helen Payette McKnight and Irwin Hewitt McKnight. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda “Amma” Lou Marple McKnight, and his brother, Peter Hewitt McKnight (Julie).

Bob graduated from East Lansing High School and Michigan State University. Bob and Linda were high school sweethearts and married for 60 years. He spent his career at Waverly High School, where he taught history and coached football, basketball, and both the boys’ and girls’ golf teams. He valued his years in education and the connections he made with the students and colleagues he worked alongside.

Outside of work, Bob enjoyed golf, sailing, photography, and baking bread. After retiring, he became a long-time member of the Gaylord Country Club in Northern Michigan and enjoyed the course and friends he made along the way. He loved tradition and passed down many to family and friends including the annual making of popcorn balls and suet pudding around Christmas Time.

Bob and Linda cherished a summer home on Lake Charlevoix, nearby where Bob grew up attending summer camp at Hayo-Went-Ha on Torch Lake. “The cottage” or “Hilamar” was originally built by Linda’s parents, Hiram and Laura Marple, and has seen four generations of campfires, boat rides, sailing adventures, Cribbage games, long chats on the porch, book reading, bracelet making, and Pop’s blueberry pancake parties. Bob loved morning newspaper readings on the porch, fixing things around the house, and going into Boyne City to get his grandkids (and Amma) treats.

Bob will be remembered for the love of his family. He is survived by his sister Susan McKnight Touscany (John) and his children Andrew McKnight (Joseph), Katherine (Kitty) Bartell (Brad), and Molly Carney (Scott); his grandchildren Lily Bartell (Carolyn), Paul Carney, Peter Carney, and Maggie Carney.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, September 18, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, Michigan.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 19, at 11:00 am, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 955 Alton Road, East Lansing, Michigan. Bob will lie in state at the church beginning at 10 am until the Funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Michigan State Chick Evans Scholarship. The Evans Scholarship is a full tuition and housing award given to deserving golf caddies with strong academic records, outstanding character, and demonstrated financial need — a cause close to Bob’s love of golf and education.

Donation link below:

https://secure.wgaesf.org/site/Donation2?idb=1107313699&df_id=2401&mfc_pref=T&2401.donation=form1&idb=1516167910