Robert Bruce Knight, 22, of Freeland, passed away suddenly as the result of a tragic auto accident on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, near Clinton.

Robert was born in Whittier, Calif., on March 5, 1989, to Bruce and Sharon (Volkov) Knight. He lived in Diamond Bar, Calif. until age 1, and then Canyon Lake, Calif. until age 14.

Robert attended Tuscany Hills Elementary School, where his mother was a teacher, Canyon Lake Middle School and Temescal Canyon High School (for his freshman year) in Canyon Lake.

In 2004 he moved with his family to Freeland. Robert attended South Whidbey High School, graduating in 2007.

Robert was a passionate, talented athlete, and was the Cascade League’s First Team All-Conference Running Back and the SWHS MVP Offensive Player in 2006, having played running back for the South Whidbey Varsity football team. He also played some baseball and soccer.

Robert loved music, and enjoyed playing acoustic, bass and electric guitar, as well as the drums and piano. He wrote and composed songs, and played briefly in a band in California called “Halfway Decent.”

Robert was energetic, outgoing, lovable, and made friends easily. Growing up in Canyon Lake, he played four different team sports per year, starting at age 3. He loved fishing, wakeboarding, water skiing and camping. In his elementary school’s Circus Club, he was known as “Wipeout” the Clown, where he mastered, performed and taught the unicycle, juggling and other acrobatic skills. He attended Skagit Valley College’s Whidbey Campus and attended a semester at Pacific Lutheran University. Robert was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.

Robert is survived by his parents, Bruce and Sharon Knight of Freeland; sister Jamie Metcalf (Dustin) of La Quinta, Calif.; sister Lisa Zickafoose (David) of Carlsbad, Calif.; nephews Cash and Carter Metcalf and Logan Zickafoose; grandfather David Knight of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; aunts and uncles, Kathy and Bob Rogelstad and Larry and Wendy Knight, all of San Diego, Calif., Janet and Ken Owens of Ramona, Calif. and Jim and Kori Volkov of La Mesa, Calif.; also, several cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Patricia Knight and Jim and Goldie Volkov; also by his aunt, Vicki Knight.

A memorial service was held Friday, Nov. 18 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland, with Pastor Jim Lindus officiating.

Memorials may be made to the “Robert Knight Scholarship Fund,” c/o Trinity Lutheran Church, 18341 SR 525, Freeland, WA 98249. Online donations to the Robert Knight Scholarship Fund can be made at www.trinitylutheranfreeland.org. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.