Robert Knapp

Robert S. “Bob” Knapp, 94, of Las Cruces, New Mexico (and previously of Thousand Oaks, CA), passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026, just four days shy of his 95th birthday.

Bob was born on April 20, 1931, in Manhattan, New York City, to Dewey Knapp and Ialene (Ratner) Knapp. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Mark I. Knapp.

Bob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Public Relations from Boston University. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 as a radar repairman, including overseas service in West Germany.

Bob grew up in Manhattan and was a lifelong fan of New York sports teams, especially the New York Yankees and New York (football) Giants. He loved family vacations, Christmases with extended family, and taking his family to Yankee games, with doubleheaders at Yankee Stadium becoming treasured family memories. Bob was also a passionate student of history, particularly the Civil War, and he enjoyed family trips exploring historic battlefields—often beginning bright and too early in the mornings for the family.

Bob met the love of his life, Diana, on a blind date in 1955, and they were married in July 1956. Together, they built a life filled with family, travel, and shared adventures and challenges.

He loved golf and spent many memorable weekends on public courses on Long Island, in Maryland, and in the Thousand Oaks, CA area, especially alongside his son Dave. With Nancy, Bob enjoyed going for nature walks, and all things horses and horseracing. They could be found together on occasional weekends, enjoying early mornings at Belmont Park's "breakfast at Belmont" taking in the great Secretariat's training sessions. Above all, Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who made it a priority to attend their school events, concerts, and games when he could, no matter how busy life became.

He built a successful career in corporate public relations, working for Western Electric, Sperry Rand, General Dynamics, and Litton Industries. His career moved him and his family to New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, and California (for 40 years!) before his retirement in 1996. In retirement, Bob was active in his community, serving as a docent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, as a board member of Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks, California, and as a Deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westlake, Village, California for 6 years.

After retirement, Bob and Diana embraced a love of travel, taking cruises around the world. Among their most cherished experiences were a safari in South Africa and special anniversary trips with their entire family to Maui and Alaska.

Bob will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His steady optimism lives on in the words he often shared: “Everything’s gonna be allllllright.”

He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Diana Knapp of Las Cruces, NM; his son, David Knapp (Libby) of Las Cruces, NM; his daughter, Nancy Ogren of Yreka, CA; his grandchildren, Peter Knapp (Anabel) of Las Cruces, NM, Chris Ogren (Lacie) of Bend, OR, and Bobbi Ogren of Chico, CA; and his great-grandchildren, Sofia and Luke Knapp of Las Cruces, NM.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Bob’s memory to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westlake Village, CA, or a charity of your choice.