Robert Craig Knabe

Robert Craig Knabe Sr., age 89 of Franklin, TN passed away July 11, 2023. He retired from The France Division of Scott & Fetzer as their Executive Director of Sales.  His career took his family from coast to coast and from North to South, with children being born in AZ, NY, and CA.  A faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Episcopal Faith, he and his wife June were active members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Franklin, TN.  In retirement, he was an avid global traveler with an insatiable urge to explore the world and take in the history. If you knew him well, I'm sure he shared his travel books...quite the history lesson! His wife, June, was always along for the ride.

After the loss of their son to a tragic automobile accident, he and June started the local chapter of Compassionate Friends, an organization that helps parents cope with the sudden loss of a child. In memory of their son, they started a memorial fund at BGA called the Second Mile Award. It recognizes excellence in education and acknowledges those teachers that go the extra mile to help students not just excel academically but go that extra mile to help them succeed in life. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and most recently a great grandfather. Because of his wife's love for animals, he developed such a devotion and love for their beautiful Golden Retrievers. He & his wife resided in the Franklin community for almost 45 years and have made many lasting friendships and associations within the community. 

He was totally devoted to his wife of more than 63 years and is now reunited with her and their son John Mark. He is preceded in death by his parents, George & Dorothy Knabe, his wife June Frances Knabe and his son, Mark Knabe. He is survived by his son, Robert Jr. (Chris) Knabe of Boynton Beach, FL; daughter, JoAnne (Terry) Kemp of Dixon Springs, TN; grandchildren, Ian (Jess) Knabe of Houston, TX; Steven (Christina) Knabe of Coral Springs, FL, Sarah Knabe of Coconut Creek, FL, Jessica Kemp of Carthage, TN and Tanner Kemp of Bowling Green, KY; great-grandchild, Connor Knabe.

A Commendation service will be held at 4:30PM Wednesday, Aug 9, 2023, with visitation one and a half hours prior to the service at Sumner Funeral & Cremation Lakeside, Saunders Ferry Rd Hendersonville,  TN. The Rev. Monna Mayhall will be officiating.  Interment for Mr. & Mrs. Knabe will take place August 11, 2023 at Eastlawn Cemetery Ithaca, NY. In his memory, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BGA's Second Mile Award Fund. https://www.battlegroundacademy.org/support/give-online

Arrangements Entrusted to: Sumner Funeral & Cremation Lakeside, Hendersonville (615)822-4442 www.sumnerfuneral.com Proud to be family owned and operated.