Robert George Knoff

Robert George Knoff, 91, Retired Aircraft Manufacturing Engineer, died Sunday, June 13, 2021. Rosary will be 6:30 pm, Wednesday, June 16, 2021; Funeral Mass will be at 9:30 am, Thursday, June 17, 2021, both at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Anna Knoff; son, Steven Knoff; siblings and their spouses. Survived by his wife, Thelma Knoff; sons, Leonard Knoff, Jimmy (Margaret) Knoff, Greg (Kim) Knoff; daughters, Susie (Keith) Barr, Brenda (Paul) Weigand. Robert was born September 4, 1929, at home in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He was baptized on September 8, 1929, at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma. His birth family then moved to Kansas City, Kansas. He received his First Holy Communion on May 1, 1936, and his Confirmation on May 24, 1936, at St. James Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Robert attended De La Salle Military Academy in Kansas City, Missouri where he graduated May 28, 1948. Robert then worked at the Fireside Marsh Mallow Co. in Kansas City, Missouri from 1948 to 1951. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 serving until June 2, 1953. His occupation in the Army was as a Field Engineer Radio Repair. He had a brief station in Europe during the final years of the Korean war. Upon his return to the United States and military discharge, he met, courted, and married Thelma Rosalie Gaston. They married on September 17, 1954. He attended Finlay Engineering College, Kansas City, Missouri where he graduated November 30, 1956, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. When Robert accepted employment with Boeing Military, he promised his bride that moving to Wichita would only be for a few short years. They moved to Park City where they started their family. They were parishioners of St. Jude and Resurrection parishes until they moved to College Hill and Blessed Sacrament parish. Dad and mom raised their 6 children on Quentin Street where many great family and friend memories are shared. In their spare time, they ran a laundromat at Edgemoor & Central. Dad was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic church, Wichita, KS. He participated in the parish as a lector and sacristan for many dedicated years; he was a Boy Scout Master, and Men's Club and Knights of Columbus member. Dad was an avid fan of baseball and loved attending all his children's sports and extracurricular activities - his children had no greater fan than dad! Dad and mom experienced their greatest grief as a couple and parents in the tragic death of their son, Steven on June 9, 1977. It was a sorrow that pierced their souls. Gratefully, the surviving 5 children forged on with their lives and grew the family. Dad and mom are joyful and proud to be the grandparents of 16 and the great-grandparents of 8 wonderful children. Dad exemplified the roles of gentleman, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and man of the Catholic faith. He will be greatly missed by all. A memorial has been established with Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 124 N. Roosevelt, Wichita, KS 67208. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.