Bob Knickerbocker

Bob Knickerbocker, age 79, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin died peacefully at home in Littleton, Colorado, surrounded by family, on October 29, 2026. After spending this summer golfing, river rafting, horseback riding, traveling and being with family, he received an unexpected diagnosis and endured a short but incredibly brave battle with multiple myeloma. He was determined to get treatment and keep living. Sadly, his illness progressed much more quickly than anyone expected and even though his heart and mind were ready for the fight, his body did not allow this to happen.

Bob was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Throughout his childhood and beyond, Bob spent very memorable and meaningful time at the Knickerbocker family farm in Salida, Colorado where he had countless hunting and fishing adventures. Bob attended St. John’s Catholic School and forged great memories playing in the desert with a pack of neighborhood boys. He graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School in 1965 and had a brief tenure at Immaculate Heart Seminary at the University of San Diego before returning to Tucson to complete his bachelor’s degree in mathematics at the University of Arizona. While living at home and playing bridge for hours with his family, he went on to earn the University of Arizona’s very first master’s degree in computer science in 1971.

Bob spotted the love of his life across the room in the library at Salpointe–he knew Lynne was a jewel. They had their first date at church and spent time together taking their younger siblings to the park before heading off to separate colleges. When Lynne moved to Colorado to pursue a career in education, Bob followed the woman he loved to Denver. They married on June 17, 1972 at Most Precious Blood Parish and raised their three children, Karen, Sara and Adam, in Littleton where they were members of St. Mary’s Parish.

Bob was a very hard worker, an earnest provider, and a man who cared deeply about ethics and integrity. His career began as an aerospace engineer at Lockheed Martin (formerly Martin Marietta) where he quickly moved into management, a turn he always said surprised him. After 35 years of glowing performance evaluations, he retired as the Director of Computer Systems and Software Engineering at Lockheed Martin where he worked on classified projects his children remain curious about. His work at Lockheed took him to Sacramento and Sunnyvale California; Salem, New Hampshire; Germany; and Washington, DC, but he was always available to read to his kids and help them with their math homework at the kitchen table or by phone if he was on a business trip. From camping trips to sporting events to dance recitals, Bob was an active father.

Bob was an observant man of few words, but his active inner world and sense of humor could lead to laughs that caught you off guard. His sharp mind was never far from a challenge; he could finish the most difficult crosswords and sudoku with remarkable skill and speed. Few puzzles–whether recreational or technical–ever got the better of him because he was not a quitter. The same patience, focus and determination followed Bob onto the golf course where his devotion to the game was legendary.

Bob’s curiosity carried him along the Colorado Trail, hundreds of miles on foot, and on travel adventures all over the world with Road Scholar, where he captured nature’s beauty through his camera lens and returned home with stories to tell. Bob lent his spreadsheet and web design talents to the MARS retirees golf league and was an active member of the MARS photography and bridge groups. He loved firing up his grill or smoker to craft a tasty meal and was the undisputed master of Thanksgiving gravy.

Bob is survived by his three children Karen Knickerbocker (Justin Collins), Sara Knickerbocker (J.Ryann Peyton), and Adam Knickerbocker (Danielle Knickerbocker); four beloved grandchildren, Alex, Sam, Archer and Monty; his sisters Kathy Mathieu (Mick), Diana Mott (John), his brothers-in-law Tim (Patricia) and Kelley (Carol); and many treasured nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lynne; his parents, Jim and Joyce; his brother, Paul and his parents-in-law, Vonnie and Glen Knutson.

Bob appreciated the gift of his good life and recently said, “I am just having so darn much fun!”. Please join us in remembering and celebrating him. A Catholic funeral mass, officiated by Father John Paul Leyba will be held on Friday, November 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, 6673 W Chatfield Ave, Littleton, CO. A Celebration of Life will be held at Olinger Chapel Hill on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be held privately at a later date at Littleton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Bob’s name to Salpointe Catholic High School or Road Scholar. Please visit www.OlingerChapelHill.com to sign the virtual guest book and share a memory.