Robert L. McKnight
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Robert L. McKnight
February 23, 1947 – June 16 , 2022
Overland Park, KS – Robert L. McKnight, “Rob,” never a baseball fan, slid into home base after a poor start to the season, with his family patiently waiting for the game to end on his terms.
A proud son of Wichita, Rob was born there to Philip Charles and Margaret McClymonds McKnight on February 23, 1947. Rob’s father was advertising Director for Beech Aircraft and his mother was the consummate homemaker, even taking a job teaching young marrieds how to use new-fangled electrical appliances. Rob was the middle child; make of that what you will. Older brother Phil (Lawrence) and younger sister Susan (Wichita) have remained a tight-knit group, even though they have never lived in the same place as adults. His was a typical, happy 50’s childhood with Rob enjoying school, swim club and being Jim Ryun’s track manager. In 1966 Rob’s father was taken from the family in a tragic accident just as Rob started college. That’s when he would say that his mother no longer had the fortitude to deny or rein in his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Yes, she allowed him to own and run 3.2 beer halls in Hutchinson and Lawrence, all while he was supposed to be matriculating. The stories of events and personalities that moved in and out of the Red Dog Inn in Lawrence never left his repertoire of life’s adventures. Distracted, he should have graduated with a degree in advertising from KU in 1969, but came up a few hours short. Never mind, he was quickly hired by an agency in Topeka, owned by the adjunct professor who gave him an F on the campaign he submitted for his last final. First assignment: put that campaign into use for a car dealer in Topeka.
Anyone would say that Rob’s work life was an eclectic and interesting one. It ranged from the early years of ad agency work in Kansas City with Barickman, new product development with Rickey & Biederman, publishing grain industry magazines for Sosland Publishing, marketing heavy equipment with RO Corporation, consulting with the Acacia Group in Washington, D.C., and eventually co-owning a few cabs with Floyd Walton, the reliable taxi driver who would meet Rob’s plane on his weekly commute. He worked for others, but all knew that he really excelled at being his own best employee.
In 1977, a high school buddy asked if Rob would pitch in and help with a kitchen table political campaign. Rob planned and executed the campaign for Democrat Dennis Moore, who defeated an incumbent Republican woman, to become Johnson County District Attorney. Rob was smitten with this work where “all the product goes on sale the same day and every customer gets to buy only one.” With the guidance of much savvier mentors, he went on to manage more than 400 campaigns, 90% of them successfully electing moderate Republicans in local and state races. Please don’t hold this against him – he was the one who “invented” those pesky political postcards that now fill mailboxes. He asked, “what is the largest size I can mail for the smallest price,” and now we are all inundated. He was even asked to share his expertise training grassroots campaigners in Arkhangelsk, Russia in 1990. That’s when Republicans were a recognizable breed. A few years back, in a fit of pique, he changed his party affiliation and ran as a Democrat for the State House, losing to a greenhorn kid with an R beside his name who didn’t even live in the district where Rob had lived since 1978. Oh well …
Rob was happy to let his candidates shine and take credit for campaign successes, but he had some unusual successes of his own. He learned to fly, bought a Cessna 152, and used it to monitor a woodworking business in Arkansas he shared with a “Rock & Roll” friend he knew from the Red Dog. In an 18 month period, he shook hands with Buckminster Fuller, Evel Knievel, and hugged Tina Turner. He master-minded getting eight tickets in a lottery for the 1988 Final Four tournament at Kemper Arena, then traded four of them for a new shake shingle roof. He loved writing speeches, obits, and Christmas letters for others, never himself. He enjoyed serving on community boards and assisting with his wife’s board service as a problem solver, fundraiser and idea generator, and was especially passionate about his work and advocacy for Planned Parenthood. Lastly, he would say that his life was most enriched by being surrounded by females, his wife of almost 50 years, Caroline, daughters, Molly Lund (Erik) and Betsy Hadley (Patrick), and their daughters, Ellen and Georgia Lund and Claire Hadley. He would say he only had female dogs, but that is a lie. Morgan, a male, was the best pet ever.
Goodbyes are hard, but Rob deserved a rest. He was a stroke survivor since his 55th birthday. His was a life well-lived, if limited in his last 20 years. He never complained, only did his best to find new challenges for himself and others every day. Till the end, he was using waning energy to finalize all the projects in his head. His kindness, humor and intellect will abide. As he would say, “Bless and release.”
Rob requested no service and for his ashes to be scattered in some very unexpected places. Shhhhh! His family will place the remaining ashes next to his grandparents (because he shares a middle name, Lorne, with his grandfather). He never wanted to be the center of attention, so we are still working on a plan to celebrate his life at a later date in a way that would please him.
Gifts in his memory can be sent to the Johnson County Library Foundation (https://www.jocolibraryfoundation.org/donate/ or P.O. Box 2933, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201) or to a charity of your choice.
Visits: 15
Caroline,
I am so sad to hear of Rob’s passing and want you to know I am thinking of you. Please let me bring a meal, some wine and sit with you.
Mari-Lynn
Thank you Rob for taking me and my son Graham to our first KU basketball game. And of course that wasn’t enough, you gave Graham a basketball autographed by all of the KU basketball players. Graham still has the basketball and cherishes it and the memory of that KU basketball game. Thanks for your generosity and quick wit. Rock Chalk!
Once you met Rob, you knew here was a man you would never forget. One of my fondest memories is meeting with Rob and Trent LeDoux in the old Seabrook Tavern to discuss politics, elections, and strategy over burgers and beer trays full of fries. Rob was one of a kind and only a soul as loving and kind and caring as Caroline would have put up with him for so many years. Thank you, Rob. You made my life better.
Oh, Rob. It’s hard to learn of your passing. I first met you in 2006 when you were brought in as the creative genius for a political campaign I was helping with. Your input helped make that a successful campaign. When I decided to run for office two years later, I knew who I needed as a political consultant. I kept you on retainer all twelve years of my legislative service, even in the cycles when I had no opposition. Your ideas and suggestions came flying at me faster than I could ever grasp hold of and put to use. But you were never deterred, and the ideas just kept coming. My life was enriched for having known you. Bless and release, my friend!
My heart breaks but this amazing tribute made me smile and think of all the joy Rob brought to the people around him.
I first met Rob working on campaigns in the early 90’s and while I didn’t see him regularly, when our paths did cross it seemed like no time had passed at all as we reconnected and shared a smile over old stories. A jumbo postcard or newspaper-like mailer will always make me think of his lasting legacy (or is it nightmare?) for postal carriers across Johnson County!
Rest In Peace, Rob. No doubt those around you now will enjoy your company as much as we did on this earthly place.
What a wonderful tribute to a good good man. I will be forever grateful to your parents for all they have done for me throughout the years. Most importantly, introducing me to KU Basketball and taking me to my very first game at Allen Fieldhouse. Rob lived a full and eclectic life, and I am proud to have known him. Sending you all my love.
My condolences go out to Caroline and family. Rob touched my life in the political arena and although he worked occasionally to make me feel uncomfortable I know that the goal was to broaden my vision and toughen my skin. Thanks Rob
Dear next-door neighbors… what a sadness you bear. Rod and I both share only a faction of your grief. We remember fondly building the ramp to the front door after the first stroke and working side-by-side with him when he hired me for data entry and other projects. Please know we understand this loss to the Overland Park community. He will rest easy now as he should. Blessings on his life and you all.
Our first opportunities to meet and have meaningful interactions with Rob and Caroline were in the Graves campaign. Was that ’92, ’96 or both? During the years to follow all of my encounters with Rob were fascinating and enriching. The “benevolent political operative” who had the insight, the maturity and the positive energy to work with problem solvers and to leverage the important concept that good policy should be good politics. Thank you Rob McKnight. I am blessed our paths crossed even as limited as those opportunities were. RIP
We have lost a true patriot and a wonderful person….Godspeed my friend. Crystal and my hearts aches with and for you Caroline.
Dear Caroline and Family,
Jim and I were deeply saddened to hear about Rob. He was the most creative and generous individual who brought a smile to all. We know the last 20 years were difficult for him, but his mind was on fire! We loved him dearly as a campaign manager and a friend! If we can do anything for you, please do not hesitate to call. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Caroline, so many memories and so little space in which to share them. Neighbors, shoveling snow off our roof, three button shirts with four colored pens, late hours on the computer (in the basement), Easter fajitas, campaigns, campaigns and more campaigns. Sweet Morgan; crazy Sadie (I think that was her name). His wit will surely be missed.
Lou and Jim ??
On of life’s most special and creative souls.
You will not know me, but Rob and I play together on North Terrace. I went to his house for home made cookies and he came to my house for store bought cookies. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
Reading Rob’s heartfelt obituary brought me back to Wichita East and Mr Bobula’s Chemistry class. Rob was a year ahead of me and sat directly behind me and was the constant source of jokes and funny comments on the lecture at hand. His wit and the reaction of his classmates was always drawing the teacher’s attention.
Although we had not seen each other for decades, I followed his political work and admired always his commitment to democracy and moral values that favored caring for all people.
Rest In Peace, Rob…??
I went through Hyde, Robinson, Wichita East and KU with Rob… our mothers were close friends… Rob was more than creative and a quick study of people and situations… he remembered a lot of minutiae about growing up in Wichita and loved sharing it… I am pleased that I had another lunch with Rob a couple months ago… our sympathies are extended to Caroline, the girls and their families…
Rob, I will always remember our becoming neighbors in summer of 1959. Just before starting at Robinson Jr. High. Without you I don’t think I would have made it through. Sane at least. Coming from Peterson and Pleasant Valley elementaries it was a BIG jump to Robinson! Thank you Rob!
Rob helped in one of my congressional campaigns. He had a wonderful, positive, creative spirit. Terrific political instincts, and a very funny and witty sense of humor. May his soul Rest In Peace.
A great, great guy whose public service was (is) an inspiration, and whose humor kept us going. Rest In Peace, Rob. I’m going to miss our emails. Thank you, friend.
I always looked up to Rob, he was just such an eclectic person – someone who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources – that was Rob to me. On a personal note I will always remember us standing on the banks of the Guadalupe River seeing our daughters loving their camp experience. Those were wonderful times.
Caroline, Molly and Betsy – Diane, Kate, Rick and I send our love and affection.
What a great obit to truly a great man! Always funny, always positive even when things weren’t so positive in his own life. He literally saved all of Big Phil’s political campaigns and Phil never lost. I knew of Rob’s love of flying up until the end. Well….guess what I picture him doing now. I will miss his wit and caring ways. What a legacy he leaves, as I write this on Father’s Day. As he often wrote at appropriate times….Godspeed, dear Rob.
Okay, Rob…now I know why you did not respond to my last email. Wheezus! See you in the Walhalla of B.S.A. Local #69. R.I.P. old friend.
Rob, I am sorry to hear of your passing. You were a one of a kind. You will always be remembered for your actions to make our company a force in the industry. Rest in pease!
Rob, I am thinking about the advice you plan to provide in your new local. You will be witty and sardonic but with every word having intension. I enjoyed our breakfasts and meetings. I was looking for answers to better understand political direction and you never gave me an answer but always provided me with information to draw my own conclusions after giving it some thought. I think you found a great calling in life. What you did was important to all of us collectively, but it appeared you approached it as an intellectual challenge. Almost like a chess game. Trying to think 2-3 steps ahead. I suspect you were disappointed when on the rare occasion you came out with a disappointing outcome, but I suspect you reflected on why and used that to inform your next campaign. I don’t think we ever had a meeting when you didn’t reflect on the joy you experienced surrounded by great women. I will miss our interactions and the wisdom I gained from your insights.
Rob and Family,
The same age, we first met in Wichita, then KU, then the advertising world of Kansas City. We shared many school and work adventures. I was saddened to learn this last news. I will always remember your spirit, your laugh and your friendship.
My condolences to your family.
Jo Ann Marinelli Weber
Caroline, Molly, Betsy and all your families. We are so sorry for the loss of such a unique and special man as Rob. We are sending love and hugs to you all as you work your way through the journey of grieving. Hold dear the treasured memories of special moments and release the rest. Are hearts are with you and arms around you.
Caroline & family,
It was an honor to have met Rob (Eisenbrandt gatherings) and I wished I would have know all about him that was written here in his obit. I enjoyed his candor and wit and how he loved his Caroline and family. Rest In Peace Rob and you were caught, now released.
Susan Smith
Caroline my heart truly, truly broke when I became aware of Rob’s passing. I so want to share a million thoughts with the world about Rob but the words just will not come. Rest in peace my co-worker, my customer, my friend. The sun, the moon and the stars will all shine a little bit less now.
Rob was my wonderful cousin and a great friend for all of his 75 years. I will miss his humor, creativity, and generous spirit. If there is a heaven, Rob will be there offering sage advice on how to get elected and how to avoid scandals that stop a person from being elected. Bless, release, and remember.
Caroline has done us all a service by reminding us of the myriads of aspects of Rob’s life that touched each of us in some way. He was the master of written, targeted wit, and the many lists of “Ten Things” or “Twenty Things” that graced our birthday party invitations, et al are legendary. He even made our high school kids look good with polished resumes. Rob was able to find the best and most memorable aspect of each person he met. Trips to Santa Fe were so extra special because of the people that Rob knew and the unique way he connected with each one of them. Case in point and a great memory of taking donuts to the monks of the Monastery of Christ of the Desert in the Chama Canyon. We surely have been blessed to have had Rob in our lives. We will miss him and remember him with love.
Caroline and Family.
I enjoyed and valued the work I did with Rob. I enjoyed his sense of humor and his wit!
I know you have many memories and I hope they bring you much peace and joy!
Rob you were such a great friend and hard to believe that you are gone. You and Caroline were my first friends when I moved to Kansas City years ago and I will never forget your love and kindness in making me feel like a part of your family. Thank you for helping me get started in the computer business – knowingly and generously overpaying for my services. Was so much fun getting to know and you and your family and introducing me to so many great restaurants and activities in Kansas City. Caroline, Molly and Betsy I am so sorry for your loss. Rob was one of a kind and I am so grateful to have known him. No one could make me laugh as much as Rob. Such a special friend!
Caroline, I am so saddened by the news of Rob’s passing. I frequently think of him especially when I look through photos of the zoo babies and particularly the polar bears. The zoo nursery campaign featuring the pairing of sports figures with specific zoo babies was the result of Rob’s genius. But he and you really cared about the success of that campaign – and the Zoo. I am so sorry our paths have not crossed in recent years.
Dear Caroline & family,
From our duplex days when Jake called him ‘big Rob’ to our occasional meetings when we’d run into each other around town, Rob always left us smiling & recalling fond memories. His sharp wit and down to earth presence enriched countless lives. May fond memories lighten the sadness of his passing. Fondly, Marge & John Wagner
Dearest Caroline, I will keep all of you in my prayers and I’m sorry that I just know Rob very well you and I go back so far that you know I’m free for you and your girls and your grandchildren. Take care my dear maybe we can meet in Houston with Donna and John and Mike and Gail. Love love love
The world won’t see another one like Rob…he was definitely one-of-a-kind. He will be missed by this entire community. Personally, we will miss his wit and wisdom and one-armed hugs.
Condolences to sweet Caroline, Molly, Betsy and families. I know you will have wonderful memories filled with fun and laughter. He is “blessed and released”.
We were blessed to share neighborhood time in Countryside where Rob, Caroline and Morgan kept us filled with joyful times.
Sympathy is extended to Caroline and family!
From first grade at Hyde Elementary through KU (and especially at East High), I could count on Rob to bring excitement and the unexpected into any setting. My husband Bob commented that Rob’s keen wit and intellectual brilliance always seemed to be in motion. We were happy to reconnect with him at the 50th Class reunion. We smile now as we remember Rob. Thanks to his family for sharing such a vivid obituary and giving us the occasion for such good memories. May your memories give you comfort and joy. Martha Dalton Ward
Caroline and family, I was so disheartened to learn of Rob’s passing. You were my first “real” neighbor and I loved knowing your family. My deepest condolences to all of you. May his memory be for a blessing.
From my first days at East High through our days at KU and later as our “real estate “ advisor in Kansas City Rob was an intriguing, crazy, creative, iconoclastic pardner in many activities that shall remain undisclosed. My trajectory into teenage followed Rob’s lead, his humor, his enthusiasm, and his zest for the unconventional approach rubbed off on me. Rob and Caroline essentially settled Nancy and I and two young boys in a house in Merriam as I began my residency at UMKC. It was an honor but more so an absolute pleasure to have known Rob.
Rob was one of a kind. He had one of the most creative minds I’ve run across, powered by a couple of truckloads of smarts. He was a truly dangerous man. Fortunately for the world, he had a finely honed sense of humor and a broad compassion, both of which he shared generously. I think he had ten or so careers, each unique and most of them pretty darn successful.
Rob was full of life and did his best to share that enthusiasm with anyone who crossed his path. A fairly massive stroke in his mid-fifties slowed him down but didn’t seem to alter the whirlwind of his mind, his love of life, or his brilliant humor.
We kept in touch intermittently through the years. My two sons still remember stopping in Overland Park on a two-month cross-country tour in the mid-90’s. Being nine and twelve at the time, they were introduced to the McKnight children’s palace of games and videos in the basement and weren’t seen for hours, while the adults upstairs shared tall tales and friendship uninterrupted.
I’d intended another cross-country car trip this past Spring with a stopover at his and Caroline’s place, but it fell apart. That will live on as a regret. Rob, I miss you and your razor wit already. Where will I get my ironic shaves now? Rest in peace, old friend.
To have Rob McKnight as a source meant a never-ending supply of story ideas, phone numbers and inspiration. He was a one-stop contact who provided it all, operating as he did from his basement office “bunker” that became something of a Johnson County political hub.
We talked several times a week, and it was never a waste of time, though I’ll admit to walking away a few times scratching my head. He took it all seriously, but had fun with it, too, and his energy was infectious.
When we’d go to lunch, I’d chat with Caroline as Rob made out a self-styled list of talking points he wanted to go over. There was always a gem or two of an idea in there. What made him a great source was his understanding of journalism, what makes us tick, what grabs our attention and why it does. He got it and worked with it instead of refuting it. And that made a huge difference.
Really hate hearing this news. I’ve never known anyone quite like him. I never will.
I am at a loss for words. And, when that happened in the past, Rob was quick to fill in the blanks. Rob was a friend, a mentor, and had an endless supply of information. His political awareness was uncanny. He was truly brilliant. Rob could laugh at almost any situation, and was able to disarm even those most serious. In the last twenty years he adopted his “bless and release” motto that allowed him the ability to walk away from confrontation or a situation too stressful. I consider myself lucky that he never blessed and released me. But, that’s really no surprise. If you were his friend, he held you close and was faithful to that friendship. He and Caroline were there for all the major events; births, deaths, new home ownership, weddings, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and even a church service. Actually, the one and only church service was the first time I ever saw him wear socks. Rob could be loud and boisterous, and I loved that about him. He was never without an idea or two or twenty. He knew my affection for gadgets and would send me links to so many! He was like my personal shopper. He was good at reaching out, and accepted that ability as one of my flaws. He was kind, with a good spirit. I’m pretty sure I never heard him utter a curse word. I could be wrong, but we’ll go with that. It’s just that he had so much to say, and so many ways to say it, that cursing would have just gotten in the way. Rob’s obituary is perfect. It should be, I’m almost certain that he wrote it. He offered to write mine. The world is a lesser place without Rob. I’ll miss him.
In life you met a few really good people, Rob McKnight was one of those. Talented, creative, hard-working, honest, forward-thinking, motivated….the list is endless when it comes to Rob. A friend for over 50 years, a friend who always had my back when times were tough. A Friend that I will never forget.
My heart goes out to the entire family,
Van Buchanan
What a beautiful tribute, Caroline. I’m thinking if you with peace and love ??
He was the best uncle that I could ever ask for and I will truly miss him from the bottom of my heart cannot wait to yo Caroline I ?
Caroline ??
I will always remember the support I got from Rob when I moved to Kansas City. He was always knowledgeable and kept me on my toes. I appreciated the political banter and am thankful to have known him.
Caroline and family,
We extend our deepest sympathies to you all. May Rob’s memory forever be a source of comfort to you.
May his life give you all strength at this difficult time and in the years to come.
Love,
Erwin & Phyllis
Caroline and family,
You captured the essence of Rob in your obit. I remember his “bless and release” reminders when he came to pick up Caroline at work. Oh so true. Don’t sweat the small stuff. I shall miss his quick wit and gentle reminders to keep life in perspective and enjoy the present.
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time of grief and transition. I hope you take solace in knowing that you have many friends surrounding you offering love and support. Take care.
Deborah
Ahhhh, Rob… I so enjoyed working with you (can it be 50 years ago?) in the advertising world. You were a constant source of energy and encouragement to those around you. You often wore those denim jumpsuits to work, making me laugh, just because you could. A brilliant mind, you…, and a million laughs. I only saw this post this morning when searching for you on line. (I’m still in Michigan) So sorry for your loss, Caroline and family.