KNOP, Robert Jerome Nov. 25, 1922 – Jan. 06, 2021
98, of Dayton, Ohio, (formerly of Flint, Michigan; East Tawas, Michigan; and St. Petersburg, Florida) passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Bethany Village in Dayton.
Robert (Bob) had a favorite saying, "There's no such thing as a bad cookie; some are just better than others," which describes both his opinion on sweets and his outlook on life. Bob was a smart cookie, a tough cookie, and a genuinely kind husband, father, and grandfather who always managed to find the good in everyone. Bob was born November 25, 1922, in Flint, Michigan, to the late Nicholas H. and Neleita M. (Hohisel) Knop. In his youth, he ran track and played saxophone in the marching band at Northern High School in Flint, Michigan. During World War II, Bob achieved the rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps (1943-1945), and he retained his
pilot's license for many years after the war. The Air Corps also covered his education in aeronautical engineering from
Mississippi State University. Following the war, he married the love of his life, Patricia, on April 17, 1947. He and Pat settled in Flint, Michigan, to raise their family, later retiring to East
Tawas, Michigan, and St. Petersburg, Florida. He spent his 35-year career at the Flint Buick Motor Division, Plant 29 in toolmaking, leading a team to design the specific devices needed to assemble auto parts. Bob's love of tinkering carried into his everyday life through his active membership in the Genesee County Amateur Radio Club and General Motors Firebirds Amateur Radio Club. Bob loved building and maintaining ham radio equipment so he could connect with voices from around the globe. He could fix anything and was fascinated by new gadgets, especially computers and smartphones - most of which he disassembled and then reassembled for fun. Bob traveled extensively with his beloved wife, but when he was home, he could be found most evenings sitting in his favorite chair, reading a western. He was a member of numerous clubs and social groups throughout his life and took great pride in volunteering through the churches to which he
belonged over the years, most recently Church of the Incarnation in Dayton, OH. He also served with the Civil Defense in Flint and was still volunteering with the Dayton City Food Bank and Bethany Village in his final years. His family will
remember his love of summers spent outside swimming, boating, fishing, biking, golfing, picnicking, going for long drives, and most of all, puttering in his garage. Bob is survived by many devoted family and friends, including his three treasured daughters: Mary N. (Daniel) Tankersley of Dayton, Ohio; Kathlynn M. (Matthew) Parkhurst of Lake City, Michigan; and Pamela A. (Dr. F. Richard) Olenchak of The Woodlands, Texas; his five grandchildren: Robert J. (Shannon) Tankersley;
Christopher A. Tankersley; James F. (Carmen) Parkhurst;
Andrew N. (Heather) Parkhurst; Dr. Lawren E. (Dr. Jamin) Bercaw; and his seven great-grandchildren: Gabriel Tankersley; Gabrielle and Matthew Parkhurst; Aurora, Glen, and Hunter Parkhurst; and Albrecht Bercaw. Bob was
preceded in death by his cherished wife of 68 years, Patricia A. Knop; his younger brother, Donald K. Knop; and a
granddaughter, Kristi Lynn Olenchak. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a later date. For those who wish to honor Bob's life, contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, and condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com. Next time you eat a cookie, raise a glass of milk to Bob.
KNOP, Robert
