Robert Kendal ‘Ken’ Knight Knight

Robert K. “Ken” Knight of Oak Harbor passed away Jan. 29, 2004, of complications arising from Parkinson’s Disease.

Ken Knight was born on Dec. 25, 1929 in Luna, Texas. He graduated as class valedictorian from Teague High School in 1946 and received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Sam Houston State College three years later. He entered the United States Navy and was commissioned as an ensign in 1952. He served 28 years in both the regular Navy and the Reserves including service in Korea. He was recalled during the Berlin Crisis in 1961, spending a year patrolling in the Far East. He retired with the rank of captain. He served aboard the USS Marsh, USS Vammen and USS Maddox, which were the three vessels he spent most of his time.

Ken began a long career with the Union Oil Company of California, later UNOCAL, working in the refinery in Oleum, Calif., in 1955. The bulk of his career was spent at the Research Center in Brea, Calif. Ken’s most notable accomplishments were in the area of enhanced oil recovery methods. He was responsible for seven patents. He retired from UNOCAL in 1990.

July 17, 1954, Ken married the former Elizabeth Bernard in Berkeley, Calif. They moved to Fullerton, Calif., in 1959 and remained there for 30 years. Ken and Betsy retired to Whidbey Island in 1990 and became active members of the community, first of Coupeville and later of Oak Harbor.

Ken served as elder and deacon in the Presbyterian Church in both Fullerton and Oak Harbor. Over the years he was involved in many organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Stephens Ministry and the Lions Club. Ken was a world traveler, first in the Navy; then seeing America while raising his family, eventually visiting all 50 states. He continued in retirement with several trips overseas.

Ken was known for his leadership, responsibility, generosity and dry sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, Betsy of Oak Harbor; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Trudi Knight of Seattle; son and daughter-in-law, Rob and Julie Knight of Tepusquet Canyon, Calif.; four grandchildren, Jackson, Johanna, Travis and Colter Knight; brother, Herbert D. Knight of San Antonio, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.

Memorial services will be held Monday, Feb. 2, at Whidbey Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.