Robert (Bob) Edward Knoke Jr, Newport, WA, born January 20, 1945 in Neenah, Wisconsin, died October 16, 2015 following a long illness at Newport Long Term Care.
He is survived by his wife Carol, Cusick, Washington; son Christopher Knoke; Newport, Washington; daughters, Shauna George (Sandpoint, Idaho); and Jennifer Gomez (Renee, Priest River, Idaho); stepdaughters, Melissa Agan (Spokane, Washington); Summer Newton (Parkville, Missouri) and eight grandchildren. Siblings, Larry Knoke, Post Falls Idaho, Alyce Mifflin, Bayfield Colorado and Trudy Barrett, Algonquin, Illinois. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert Knoke Sr., mother Jane E Knoke, and sister Janet Knoke, all of Priest River, Idaho.
As a child Bob lived near Waupaca, Wisconsin before moving with his family to Woodstock, Illinois, and then to Priest River, ID with his parents in 1961. Bob was inducted into the army on November 18, 1965. He was awarded a National Defense medal and was trained as a forward observer for Vietnam duty. His orders were changed at the last minute, however, and he was deployed to Germany, where he served until his discharge in 1969. Following his tour of duty Bob served in the army reserve until 1971. Bob married Leanna Chilcote with whom he had three children: Shauna, Jennifer and Christopher. The marriage later ended in divorce. He married Carol Agan in 1987, to whom he was married 28 years until his death. The couple enjoyed life in Cusick, Washington.
Bob worked for UPS for 15 years, after which he worked several years at Crown Pacific Lumber. Upon the mill’s shutdown, he changed careers and drove long-haul for Swift Transportation until his retirement in 2002. He enjoyed woodworking, and had a mechanical aptitude and inventive mind. He was kept busy repairing family appliances, cars and anything that broke. Bob could fix anything! He loved to solve problems, even if it came to fabricating parts or inventing a gadget that would do the trick. Bob was a long-time member of the Church of Christ in Locke, Washington. He was a faithful Christian with a gentle spirit, who quietly served those around him. He loved singing and at times performed at weddings. Bob was a loving, faithful husband, father and son, whose strength, love and generosity will never be forgotten.