Graveside service for Robert Knight Tuesday morning, May 8 at Pearl River Cemetery

Photo credit: Dorice Arden (2013 Historical House Tour, West Nyack)

Former Rockland County Times editor & author of columns on local history, Robert Knight, will be laid to rest 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, May 8 at Pearl River Cemetery. Knight was also the the town historian of Clarkstown, amongst his many roles.

His complete obituary is below:

Congers – Rockland County journalist Robert P. Knight died at his home on April 1, 2018. Robert was born on July 10, 1939 to Charles Pritchard and Ruth (Carter) Knight in Watertown, NY. His parents moved to Pearl River in 1942. “Bob” as everyone knew him, went through the Pearl River School system and he graduated from high school in 1961. Bob worked for the Rockland Department of Social Services and enjoyed a prolific career as a journalist for more than six decades during which period he wrote numerous articles for the Rockland Leader, the Our Town, the Rockland Journal News and more recently for the Rockland County Times.

Bob shared his intense knowledge of the history of Rockland County with his fellow citizens giving many public lectures as well as writing numerous articles on Rockland’s history. He authored the Centennial History of Pearl River, NY book, the Centennial History of Congers 1883-1983 and the Bicentennial History of Clarkstown. He was also an avid postcard collector and wrote articles in Rockland County Times called, “Postcards From the Last Century,” highlighting a card from his collection.

One of Bob’s interests was historic preservation. He served on Clarkstown’s Historic Review Board for many years. Bob called attention to the Cropsey Barn in New City which was part of the farm that was donated and jointly owned by the Town of Clarkstown and Rockland County. He was also instrumental in gaining support for the preservation of the Vanderbilt-Budke House and the Traphagen House both in New City. With his help, the Traphagen House has been transformed into a functioning community center.

Bob was a descendant of a soldier who served under General Anthony Wayne in the Battle of Stony Point and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Bob continued his family tradition by serving as a member of the 101st Signal Company, US National Guard.

In 2007, Bob received the 2007 Margaret B. & John Zehner Award for Historic Contribution-a Rockland County Executive Historic Preservation Merit Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the history of Rockland County. Bob was a member of several organizations including The Pearl River Cemetery Restoration Committee, where he served as President and Founding Member, the Historical Society of Rockland County, the Friends of the Orangetown Museum and the Rockland County Youth Board. Fittingly, Bob as a member of the South Orangetown Rotary enjoyed weekly lunch at New York’s oldest tavern in Tappan, New York. Until his death, Bob lived in a sandstone house dating back to the late 18th century, a house which he rescued from near demolition. He lived his beliefs in the lifestyle he chose.

A Graveside Service will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday May 8, 2018 at Pearl River Cemetery located on John St. in Pearl River, NY. Parking is available to those attending the service at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home, 100 Franklin Avenue in Pearl River, NY, which is contiguous to the cemetery. The Town of Clarkstown is planning a memorial service at a date to be announced.

Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home Inc.

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