of Mountain Home, AR
October 28, 2021
Bob Knight, a man who gave himself freely and fully to his family, business, state and community, died Thursday.
He was born July 15, 1945 in the former Rollins Hospital at Gassville.
Bob graduated from Mountain Home High School in 1963, the Wichita School of Broadcasting in 1965 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1969 aboard the battleship New Jersey.
Those who were lucky enough to know Bob were aware that he had a deep and abiding passion for the Bombers, broadcasting, the Twin Lakes Area, his state and the Navy.
Many of his numberless stories were centered on one of those passions.
His family was his first priority. He was married to the former Sue Hightower for 48 years. They were a team in every sense of the word.
He would light up when talking about his daughter and grandchildren.
Bob was 23 when he started working at KTLO in 1968. He and Sue were part of a group including two local doctors, Johnny and Bobby Ahrens, who bought the station in 1973.
In 1994, current co-owner Danny Ward and his wife, Velma, became partners, along with Charlie and Scottie Earls. Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation was formed.
The Knights and Wards bought the Earls' interest in 2012.
Bob earned accolades for his devoted and tireless service to organizations both local and statewide.
He was president of the Mountain Home Educational Foundation for 16 years. He was also a past president of the Arkansas Broadcasters' Association and chairman of the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Commission.
The jobs Bob held had one general aim, to make the Twin Lake Area and the State of Arkansas better places to live and work.
Bob's wry sense of humor brightened up the day and will be missed. For four decades, people in the KTLO listening area have started their day with his program's signature opening, ''It's time to rise and shine.''
Bob Knight was preceded in death by his wife of almost 50 years, Sue Hightower Knight, and son, Jordan Knight. He is survived by his daughter, Heather Loftis, her husband, Chris, and two grandchildren, Mia and Jordan Zane Loftis.
Services for Bob Knight will be held at the Dunbar Auditorium at 500 Bomber Blvd. next to Mountain Home High School at 2:00 p.m., Monday.
Services will under the direction of Roller Funeral Home.
The family request that you honor Bob's life by supporting our community through the work of the Mountain Home Education Foundation, Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation, or the church, local business or charity of your choice.
Bob has been in my thoughts as has his family. I will miss him coming into the central office and chatting together for a moment. One of things I will always remember is him saying, you should come to work for me. I will always take that as a compliment and an honor. I was born here, most people can't say they have listened to KTLO all of their lives, but I can. Mom and dad had it on in the mornings and that is how we knew back then that there was no school because of snow. Thank you Bob for the radio station and all of the memories. Heather I'm sending you a hug.
I only met u a few times, but u will be missed, RIP!!
Bob Knight was a gifted broadcaster and a natural entertainer, but more than that he was just a very good man. I loved working for Bob. He was gracious and generous as an employer, and in the years since I worked at KTLO I always enjoyed getting back to the station to visit with him and Sue. The community of Mountain Home and the field of broadcasting have suffered a big loss with his passing. The myriad of us who called him friend were truly blessed for the years we knew him. My deepest condolences and prayers are with Heather and the family.
I was saddened to learn of Bob's death. I used to be in the radio business in Paragould and knew Bob from working with him in the ABA. We've had short visits at the annual ABA meetings through the years. Bob was impressive and he will be remembered fondly.
I just recently heard the news of Bob's passing, and I wanted to extend my condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and employees. It was a pleasure to intern and work for him, and he will no doubt be missed.
Words cannot accurately express the loss to his family and his many friends. Our community lost a large part of its heart.
My sympathy to Bob's family. I first met Bob when he came to Iowa City for Iowa football games in the 80's. Bob and Coach Hayden Fry were good friends and Hayden introduced me to Bob. Hayden and I made many trips to Mountain Home for the annual fishing trip that Bob and Dick organized. I will never forget the great hospitality and most of all there friendship over the years!
Rest in peace my friend !!
Even thought it meant dropping things at work and heading to an ABA Convention ... one of the things that made me want to go...was to see my old buddies like Bob Knight. Bob and I have laughed until we had tears....and now I have tears again for a different reason. He was the ultimate Arkansas Broadcaster!!! Loved his profession, his town, his station and his family. Things will not be the same with out Bob Knight....we'll all miss him.
Bob joined the State Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Commission a month after I began my career at Arkansas State Parks. He was always someone I could go to for advice involving our broadcasting programs and life in general. I always considered him a good and trusted friend. He is missed.
My heart and prayers are with both Bob's family and with his "work family" there at KTLO. God bless him for all his works that lead to making The Twin Lakes area such a wonderful place to live, work and play! What a legacy! His presence will be greatly missed by many.
I first got to know Bob when I worked at KHOZ in Harrison and he was at KTLO. We became friends and stayed so through out broadcasting careers as well as the ABA board, and even after. He was the ultimate broadcaster, involved in his stations and his community and will be greatly missed.
I'm so so sorry to hear about Bob passing away. I always loved that crooked grin of his, and calming way. My prayers are with you, Heather, and all the Knight family.
PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY. WHAT A TREASURE IN RADIO BROADCASTING. HE HELPED ME WHEN I BOUGHT MY FIRST RADIO GROUP. MANY STORIES OF ABA CONVENTIONS AND TRIPS TO DC. RIP MY FRIEND.
Bob was such an awesome man. He truly loved this town and was an ambassador for the entire community. His great sense of humor and charisma will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I was so sorry to hear of Bobs death, he was a great broadcaster and one Preston and I enjoyed seeing at the Arkansas Broadcasters conventions. We have lost a great number of our broadcaster friends these past few years. My sincere sympathy to his family Erma
Bob made our lives better and brighter. RIP
Bob make great contributions to the broadcast industry. I enjoyed working with Bob on the Arkansas Broadcasters Association board many years ago. Rest in Peace and bless the family during this time. Pray for peace and understanding.
Bob Eckman
Mammoth Spring, AR
Thayer, Mo
West Plains, Mo
Bob was an incredibly good man. He was always a joy to visit with at various Broadcast functions. He was the perfect host when a group of us went to Mountain Home. Bob gave all he had to the Arkansas Broadcasters Convention and was instrumental in making it the great organization it was. I will miss visiting with him and gleaning from his vast knowledge. May all family and friends feel the love and the Peace that God gives us in such time of sadness.
Deepest sympathy to the whole family
Our condolences to your family. We will miss Bob and his voice.
Deepest condolences to the Knight family. Bob was an outstanding leader who was always devoted to bettering those he came in contact with.
Heather you and your family are in our prayers. I know this is a hard time for you.
Bob will be missed. He was such a kind and giving person. Mountain Home is better for having him as one of the leaders of our community. We missed seeing Sue in the office now we will miss that wonderful voice on the radio. They are together again.
Bob was my friend and I will miss him.
you will be missed Bob!
I'm very sorry to the family Heather, Tommy, Beverly, Betty and Gordon. Bob was a good man and did so much for our area. Prayers to all.
Mountain Home will surely miss this great man and broadcaster. Bob and Sue were very kind to me when I visited their stations and met them at broadcasting events. Heather, I know you miss them both, but they are together again now.
My sympathies,
Bonita Smith
Heather & Chris, Bob was, is, & always will be a true icon of Mountain Home & the surrounding area. Our deepest sympathy - he will be missed .
Prayers to the family in this time of sorrow. Our community has lost a phenomenal man who will be missed beyond words. I have listened to Bob Knight and KTLO since I moved here in 1971. He has brightened our lives and impacted our community and country in so many many ways. RIP my friend!
prayers for the family and friends at this time...so many memories ....will miss hearing him in the mornings
Deepest sympathies for the passing of Mr. Knight, who was a wonderful part of our community and a legendary voice on the radio.
We enjoyed hearing him on the radio for so many years, also knew him personally. What a great guy, he will be sorely missed!
Heather, Chris and all of the Bob Knight family…we are so sorry for your loss! Hold all your found memories close!
May God bless you and be your source of strength. Thinking of you and may your memories be a comfort. Our area was blessed by his good wotks!!
Heather I’m so sorry for your loss! Prayers to you and your family! I remember the good old days with us playing basketball and your dad with the radio. It won’t be the same without him. If you need anything please holler at me! My parents send their condolences as well ❤️🙏🏻❤️
So sorry for your families loss, listening to Ktlo will never be the same, he gave so much to our community.
Sorry to hear about Bobby’s passing. My prayers are with his family.
I have listened to Bob on the radio early in the morning. He always played the older music that i like to hear.I only knew him from the radio station and was told that he was the main owner of the ktlo radio station. I'm so sorry for your loss and pray for the family. God Bless you Bob Knight.
I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing! He has been in my thoughts the past few days and now I know why! He was so much apart of all that was happening in our community! He will be missed! My prayers for his family! May they find peace and comfort as they relive the memories of him!
I am deeply sorry for the loss of Bob and feel a deep sympathy to his loving family and his multitude of his friends and those he had dedicated to his country, his state and his community. And to the service he dedicated his life to those of us that were always proud of his love and helped the strength of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association and provided his community with the finest of radio community news, weather, sports and entertainment to all the citizens to which he gave his all.
So sorry to hear of his passing!
Spent 15 years in Mountain Home, our FM radio was tuned on KTLO more than 12 hours a day. Will miss hearing him on the radio every morning. Condolences.
Heather and Chris, it's hard to put in words the heart felt feelings we have at this time. Your Dad was a true pillar of the community and he now joins your Mom where he belongs. His life was a reflection of his heart which he opened wide every day for others throughout his life. We will indeed miss him, but his memories should and will inspire us all! Praying for your comfort and peace.
Heather Bob was One of a kind!!!. I’m so sorry for your loss!! He spoke of you and Zane his most loved little man every time he got his haircut.. He was such a great friend and man!!!!! God Bless You with peace during this difficult time!
To all of Bob's family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Bob was an icon in the community and he will be dearly missed. Please accept our condolences.
Sincerely,
Mike and Dianna Roller
Heather, We are so sorry for your loss. What a great man. He touched everyone's lives and he will be greatly missed by the people, the community, and the state. Prayers for your comfort and peace.
Sending ours prayers. Sorry for your loss.
Bob and I attended school together and later in life he helped me with several community projects. He was one of a kind and will be missed. Condolences to the family.
So many wonderful memories growing up with Bobby.. I am so sorry for your loss Heather.. he was loved by many and will truly be missed ❤️❤️
I AM SO VERY SORRY THE FAMILY'S LOSS ! I HAVE HEARD BOB ON RADIO . I THINK I SEEN HIM A FEW TIMES !!! AM SURE HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED !!!
I am so saddened to hear of Bob's passing. He and Sue were such good people and will be missed so much in Mtn. Home and in Arkansas. I will greatly miss that one of a kind of laugh he had. He seemed to enjoy being on the air and his relationship with his co-workers was a hoot. My thoughts and prayers are for Heather and her family, his friends and devoted listeners. God Speed
Heather and Family, Bob was a true gentleman, a civic leader without rival. As the former manager of Roller Funeral Home, I cannot thank Bob enough for the professionalism and comfort which he provided in reading so many thousands of obituaries of the good people of Baxter county and beyond. I remember the day before email, fax, etc., when we dictated the obituaries word for word to Bob over the phone, and he would write a beautiful tribute to the loved ones of the Twin Lakes area. To say that a person was a legend in a community in their own time would not be overstating the role Bob played in Mountain Home. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.
We are so sad to hear of Bobby's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and many friends.
The Flocks
I have been a devoted listener to KTLO for 41 years and loved every thing I listened to, especially the music and ballgames. Loved Bob, Jim, and Monte, voices of KTLO.
So sad to hear of Bob's passing. He and I were classmates of the MHHS class of 1963. 2 country kids that had no earthly idea of what was ahead of us. Bob you accomplished much. Rest in peace.
I have listened to Bob on KTLO for many years.
He will certainly be missed. My sympathy to the family.
Heather, my deepest sympathies to you and the family for your loss. Bob was a classmate of mine and I will certainly miss his morning chats, his love for this beautiful area of ours and the many activities and people in whom he made such a difference.
To Heather and Family, Our deepest sympathy. How can we start our days in Mountain Home without your dad’s comforting voice…
Heather, I am sorry to hear of passing of your father. I remember when we lived next to you for all those years. You and your family will be in my thoughts.
My heart breaks at the loss of this great man. What an example he was for all those who knew him! Thank you, Heather, for allowing us to know and love both Bob and Sue. You are in our prayers, dear friend. Praying for comfort and peace for you, Chris, Mia and Zane.
🙏 prayers and condolences on the loss of your loved one. He was a special man.
Heather Bob was One of a kind!!!. I’m so sorry for your loss!! He spoke of you and Zane his most loved little man every time he got his haircut.. He was such a great friend and man!!!!! God Bless You with peace during this difficult time!
Heather- You are in my thoughts and prayers. You are the best of your Mom and Dad, you will continue to make them proud daily I know! Your love of community will continue your Dad’s amazing legacy!
Ashley
Heather,
I am so sorry for your loss. Take heart that your dad made a huge difference in this community, and has become an important part of our history. I am privileged to have known him.
Sonny
My deepest sympathy for your loss. Bob was a great man and influenced so many. He will truly be missed by our community. Praying for comfort during this difficult time.
My deepest sympathies to Bobs family and KTLO family. I will truly miss hearing him on the radio every morning. I am so lucky to of met him and talk with him on the radio. He will never be forgotten.
So sorry to hear of Bob's death. I always enjoyed our interactions at all my jobs from EZ Mart to FSB. Pleasure to have known him. H
I'm so sorry for your loss Bob was a great man all my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Wanda Evans
So sorry for your loss
Sincere sympathy to all the family
Deepest condolences
Paula Roddy