Mates of former Clark Faculty President Robert “Bob” Kennedy Knight say he devoted his life to serving his group and nation. He died early Saturday morning at age 67.
Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle mentioned her friendship with Knight dates to the early 2000s via his work with Clark Faculty and the Rotary Membership of Vancouver.
“His military career here in Vancouver was exceptional,” McEnerny-Ogle mentioned. “And then, as a community member, he volunteered so much for so many things.”
Knight served with the U.S. Military for about 20 years. His active-duty navy profession resulted in Vancouver, the place he served as a lieutenant colonel and last commander of Vancouver Barracks from 1997 to 2000. In 2000, Knight deactivated the barracks and allowed the Reserves to take it, in line with Columbian archives. A couple of months later, he retired from the Military.
“When he retired in 2000, he wanted to stay here,” mentioned Larry J. Smith, a longtime pal of Knight’s. “He met a lot of different folks throughout the community, and this became what he wanted to call home.”
Smith retired from the Vancouver Barracks in 1991. Years later, he met Knight when Knight turned the barracks commander. By the years, they labored carefully collectively in the neighborhood.
“He was just a wonderful guy, great personality and a treasure for this community,” Smith mentioned.
Elson Strahan mentioned he met Knight in 1997 shortly after Knight was appointed last commander for Vancouver Barracks. Strahan was then president of the Clark Faculty Basis.
“I admired Bob’s ability to maintain an incomparable network of friends, including regularly connecting with his fellow West Point graduates,” Strahan mentioned. “I also appreciated how much Bob contributed to this community during his service as post commander through his tenure as Clark College president, as well as his many volunteer commitments.”
Each have been lively with the Rotarians, Strahan mentioned, and Knight was an adviser when Strahan turned president and CEO of The Historic Belief.
In 2004, Knight joined Clark Faculty’s workers because the vp of administrative companies. When the board of trustees requested Knight to serve a 30-day stint as non permanent president, he mentioned sure, in line with Columbian archives. The non permanent appointment turned everlasting. He was named president in 2006 and retired on the finish of the 2018-19 college 12 months.
Throughout his time as the school’s chief, Knight oversaw main achievements, together with the openings of the Science, Know-how, Engineering and Math constructing and Veterans Useful resource Heart (now the Veterans Heart of Excellence) and one of many largest enrollment spurts in Washington for a group school, in line with the school.
In 2016, Knight acquired the First Citizen award for his lengthy listing of group contributions, in line with Columbian archives.
“He was very sensitive about making sure that people were taken care of, whether they’re homeless people or whether they’re veterans and so forth,” Smith mentioned. “He had strong values of love for his country and love for his community.”
Columbian archives listing simply a few of the service alternatives Knight participated in, together with the Rotary Membership of Vancouver, the native chapter of the American Pink Cross, Boys & Ladies Golf equipment of Southwest Washington, the Columbia River Financial Improvement Council, Fort Vancouver Nationwide Belief, Washington State College Vancouver Advisory Council and Workforce Southwest Washington.
“All of us who had the good fortune to know Bob also enjoyed his good humor, while proudly wearing his kilt, surprising someone with his fake teeth or simply making himself the brunt of a joke. Bob was loyal to the core, exceedingly generous, and absolutely dedicated to (his wife) Paula and their family,” Strahan mentioned.
McEnerny-Ogle additionally remembers Knight for his humorousness “and just the wonderful way he made people feel.”
“It was nothing for him to come up and shake your hand, give you a hug, a big smile,” she mentioned.
She mentioned Knight’s household values soared along with his love for his spouse, kids and grandchildren.
“It was such a shock to see Bob’s health deteriorate so quickly and know that the doctors couldn’t figure out what it was. Even though they (later) identified it as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a nervous system disease), there was nothing they could do,” McEnerny-Ogle mentioned. “It was so difficult for all of us to say our goodbyes, but we hope Paula and the children know that their father, her husband, was such a wonderful person, and we thank them for sharing him with us.”