Robert Alan Knight

Robert A. Knight, 83 of Battle Creek died peacefully at The Reflections on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.

Bob was born June 30, 1934 in Jackson, Michigan, the son of George C. and Dorothy M. (Putney) Knight, Sr. He moved with his family to Battle Creek in 1940 and was a 1952 graduate of Lakeview High School. Bob served in the Coast Guard Reserves from 1952-56. He was a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course, Whirlpool Corporation Business Course and completed many other business courses and seminars in sales, sales psychology, product knowledge and interior design offered through the companies he represented in retail. Bob began his career at Knight's Incorporated in 1952, became V.P. in 1956 and was elected Executive V.P. in 1960. He purchased the business with his brother, George C. Knight, II in 1965. They owned and operated the business until retiring in 1991. Bob then went to work as a realtor for Pearse Reality after his retirement from Knight's Incorporated.

Bob was previously married to the former Tanya Adams. Robert A. Knight was united in marriage to Marilyn J. Jenkins on October 2, 1981. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn on August 21, 2010; his parents; his brother, George C. Knight, II in 2004 and his sister, Dorothy A. "Judy" Brown in 2016.
Surviving are his son, Brad Knight of Battle Creek; daughter, Shane (Ron) Knight Stiemsma of Temperance, MI; grandchildren, Josh (Erin) Stiemsma, Steffanie (Brian) Good, Joel (Amanda Osborne) Knight, Dana (Nate Horian) Knight; four great-grandchildren and one on the way; a stepson, Ralph B. (Kirsten Foot) Puchalski of Edmonds, WA; stepdaughters, Sharon (John) Slanchik of Kenosha, WI, Denise (Steven) Beckhorn of Grand Rapids, MI; and step-grandchildren, Elise Foot Puchalski, Amy Slanchik, Michaela Slanchik and Johnny Slanchik.

Bob was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was a former member of First Congregational Church where he sang in the choir. He was also a longtime member and past president of the Battle Creek Rotary Club. He received the Key Man and Spark Plug awards as a member of the Battle Creek Jaycees. Bob was a member and served on the Board at Riverside Country Club, where he loved golfing with his friends. He loved music and previously sang with the Lew Boyd Band, Jerry & the Jumping Jacks and other dance bands. Bob was a former board member of Battle Creek Unlimited, member of B.C. Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Concert Association and the International Relations Committee. Bob will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Friends will be received at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care 4:00-6:00 p.m. Saturday, where funeral services will be officiated by Rev. Dr. Jeffrey S. Carlson 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 18, 2018. Interment will be held later at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice or Alzheimer's Association. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.