Roll Call Tribute

Dr. Robert W. Knight
May 27, 1953 — December 14, 2022

Robert (Bob) W. Knight was born on May 27, 1953 in Reno, Nevada and passed away on December 14, 2022 in College Station, Texas. Robert was raised outside of Reno in Washoe Valley and graduated from Earl Wooster High School.

Active in 4-H throughout his youth, Bob raised lambs and discovered his career ambition through the 4-H forestry project. He helped shear many sheep throughout the valley.

Bob earned a Bachelor of Science (1975) in Range and Forest Management from the University of Nevada, Reno, a Master of Science (1977) in Range Management (Watershed Management) from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. (1980) in Rangeland Science (Watershed Science) from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Knight joined the faculty at Texas A&M University in 1980 as an Assistant Professor, was promoted to Associate Professor in 1987, and became Associate Department Head in 1990. His academic research program was concerned with land management impacts on hydrologic processes.

Bob's greatest passion involved helping students learn the field through both teaching and advising. His teaching responsibilities in undergraduate and graduate coursework included courses pertaining to Natural Resources and Ecosystem Management, Wildland Plants of North America, Wildland Watershed Management, and Range and Forest Watershed Management and Wetland Delineation. He advised students in and was a program leader for the Rangeland Ecology and Management degree, the Renewable Natural Resources degree, and the Master of Natural Resources Development. He was an also advisor to the Range Club, Student Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society, and Alpha Zeta.

A true Aggie at heart, he coached the TAMU Plant Identification Team for over thirty years and for a period was an advisor for the “Aggie Wranglers” dance team. He was an avid season ticket holder and fan of the Aggie women's volleyball and basketball teams. His advising, teaching, and coaching touched innumerable students.

Along with his academic work at Texas A&M, he was active in both state and national levels of the Society for Range Management and the Soil and Water Conservation Society. Bob served as a Director of the Texas Section Society for Range Management Youth Range Workshop (YRM) from 1982 to 2020. He also served for a term as the president of the Texas Chapter of the Society for Range Management.

Robert was preceded in death by his father and mother, Richard and Elizabeth Knight.

He is survived by his twin brother, Richard (Tamara) Knight; brother, Jeff (Virginia) Knight; along with multiple nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cat Itty Bitty.

The family is grateful for the support of his dear friend and colleague, Barron Rector, during the last few months.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. A family memorial scholarship will be established in his memory. Please designate gifts “In Memory of Robert W. Knight” in the memo line of the check. To donate online, go to give.am and select General Memorial; enter “In Memory of Robert W. Knight” in the comment section.

Donations may also be made to the Society for Range Management Student Scholarship, American Diabetes Association, American Kidney Fund, or charity of your choice.