Robert James Kneip

Robert James Kneip passed away on Monday, March 28, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 74 years seven months and 19 days. Bob was born on August 9, 1936 in Santa Ana, California. He was the son of Anthony J. and Ruby Lucille (Black) Kneip. As a young child Bob was raised and attended St. Finbarís School and later graduated from Bellarmine-Jefferson High School in Burbank, California. In January of 1954, Bob joined the United States Army and was initially stationed at Ft. Ord in California. Following an honorable discharge from the United States Army, Bob reenlisted with the United States Air Force on April 16, 1958. Bob served nearly thirteen years of Foreign Service. He was stationed in Germany, England, Japan, Hawaii and Vietnam. During his time in the Air Force Bob received the following citations and decorations: Bronze Star, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendations Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Five Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert marksmanship Ribbon, NCO Academy Graduate Ribbon with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal with Two Knots, Air Force Longevity Service Award with Five Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star, Army of Occupation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. A significant accomplishment that Bob received one of the highest decorations for was the Bronze Star. He obtained the citation for his actions on March 5, 1966 thru March 6, 1966. During this period the United States Marine Corps and the Republic of Vietnam joint maneuver, ìOperation Utahî was started in the Quang Ngai Province. On the morning of the March 5th, an urgent request was voiced for aircraft and medical crews to evacuate wounded personnel. It was necessary for Sergeant Kneip to remain at his post throughout the day and night, dispatching crews and equipment to facilitate the movement of those personnel. His exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Kneip earned him the Bronze Star. He was also nominated for the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following his retirement in 1977 from the United States Air Force, Bob returned to Lancaster, California. He then accepted employment with R. J. Reynolds Company as a salesman. Bob later accepted employment with P.E. Brown and Company as an insurance adjuster. After a short time Bob began working for Farmers Insurance and then later returned to P. E. Brown. During this time Bob met and was later united in marriage to Charlene (Mitchell) on October 30, 1993 in Palmdale, California. Following employment with P. E. Brown, Bob joined forces with Pilot Catastrophe Services, Inc. In 1994, Bob and Charlene came to Oklahoma to visit family and purchased a home in Cleveland, Oklahoma, where they have continued to reside. Bob has also been employed by McCracken and Associates during his time in Oklahoma. Bob has worked several natural disasters including the 1994 Northridge Earthquake which struck the San Fernando Valley. The quake had a magnitude of 6.7; the strongest ever recorded in an urban area in North America. The quake attributed to at least 33 deaths, 8,700 injuries, and over $20 billion dollars in claims. One of the other historic catastrophes Bob worked was the The Blizzard of 1996. The storm packed all time snowfall records from Virginia to Ohio in a 24 hour period ranging from 17 to 30 inches of snow while shutting down most of the Eastern U.S. Much of Bobís time revolved around cooking. He loved to cook inside, outside or any place that would allow him to bring delight to peopleís palate. Bob was a collector of outdoor cooking equipment where he prepared his creations as well as a clock collector. Bob also loved to travel. He and Charlene have taken their travel trailer West to California to Washington, D.C. and to numerous other places throughout the United States. They also enjoyed frequenting Skiatook Lake several times monthly. Most of all in life Bob enjoyed entertaining his family and friends at his home as well as hearing his grandchildren call him ìPoppi.î Survivors are his wife Charlene of the home, four children Erik Kneip and his wife Suzanne of Avon Lake, Ohio, Stephanie Kneip-Fukuoka of Sacramento, California, Jolene Mairose and her husband Nick of Santa Clarita, California, Brent LaVo of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two brothers Patrick Kneip and his wife Nancy of Canyon Country, California, Thomas Kneip of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one sister Kathy Mirolla and her husband Tony of Encino, California; ten grandchildren Erik, Josef, Victoria, Collin, Tristan, Laney, Travis, Jeremy, Nicole, Christopher as well as a host of other relatives and friends that will mourn his passing. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Anthony M. Kneip and Ruby Lucille Kneip as well as his beloved dog Bacchus. Services for Bob will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com.