Robert Earl Knatt
August 11, 1948 - August 25, 2024
Obituary
Legendary local music educator, Robert Earl Knatt, age 76 of SeaTac, Washington, passed away at home on Sunday, August 25, 2024, peacefully in his sleep.
Funeral services will take place on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Bonney Watson Funeral Home and Cemetery (16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188), starting with a viewing at 11:00am, funeral at 12:00pm, burial service at 2:00pm, followed by a repast. Apostle James E. Sears III of Grace Temple will be officiating.
Following the funeral service, a second line will proceed to the burial site for a Louisiana-style celebration of life, honoring Robert’s upbringing and life’s work.
Robert Earl Knatt was born in New Iberia, Louisiana to John Clement Knatt and Mary Louise Johnson on August 11, 1948. He was the first to attend college in his family at Grambling State University on a music scholarship, where he played the trumpet in the World Famed Tiger Marching Band before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. Upon his college graduation, he was offered a job with the Seattle Public Schools and moved across the country to begin his career as a successful music educator. He married Gaynell Purvis, and after she completed her studies at Grambling State, she quickly joined her new husband in Seattle. During his early years in Seattle, Robert attended the University of Washington, where he received a teaching certificate, and joined Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Robert taught at Rainier Beach High School, South Shore Middle School and Washington Middle School, retiring in 2008 after 36 years in education. Throughout his career, Robert achieved many awards and received many accolades for his legendary music program and instruction. In his retirement, he was approached to join a local organization called JazzEd, a jazz education program that aims to liberate and inspire students while increasing access in the music room. Robert taught middle school and high school students in the JazzEd program for six years, in addition to becoming a published author. He has been recognized by many organizations over the years for his contributions to music education, including an induction into the Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame, and the Earshot Jazz Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame. In fact, June 7th has been declared Robert Knatt Day by proclamation of the Mayor of Seattle.
Robert Earl Knatt is preceded in death by his parents, John Clement Knatt and Mary Louise Johnson; father-in-law, Edward Francis Purvis; mother-in-law, Mildred Rhone Purvis; his brother, Oswald Carl Simon Sr.; and his son, Robert Earl Knatt II.
Robert Earl Knatt is survived by his wife, Gaynell Purvis Knatt; daughter, Lakesha Nichelle Knatt; son, Marcus Edward Knatt; daughter-in-law, Adilene Farias; granddaughters, Liliana, Bilen, Sofia and Abryana; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other extended family members and friends.
Pallbearers will include Marcus Knatt, Don Thompson, David Hookfin, Wadie Ervin, Willie Fisher and Shirish Mulherkar.
Memorials may be sent to the Bonney Watson Funeral Home and Cemetery (16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188). The family of Robert Earl Knatt would like to thank Bonney Watson Funeral Home and Cemetery, the Kaiser Permanente Hospice Team, and our family and friends for their unwavering support. Special thanks to those who have reached out with cards, phone calls, music inspiration, and words of comfort during the last few years of Robert’s life.
I truly 💙💙💙💔💙💙ed my Cousin
Our prayers are with you my family during this time.
What awesome memories we have of him, dancing, laughing, playing 😊
Love you guys
Gay,
We atr truly saddened to hear about Robert. You have our condolences and love. Prayer and time helps to heal the pain and fill the empty space.
Linda Flemon Murphy
My Condolences to my family. I will continue praying for all of us. I thank God for such a caring Brother in law who will never be forgotten.
Mr. Knatt was my favorite, and first black school teacher.
It was beyond an honor to, for 2 school Years (1983 and 1984), to play in his African Drum Ensemble.
I was the smallest kid in the class.
I was first assigned the small djembe drum.
After just one week or two, Mr. Knatt came in class and made everyone be quiet, saying he has an announcement, a change will be made.
He told me to stand up, and another student.
Then he looked at us and said “switch positions”.
I was in awe….not knowing what was going on.
He then said…”Derrick is now your leader on the big drum, because he’s our best listener, he’s ready.”
And I remained in that position until I graduated 8th grade.
Everything about that Wonderful man’s way of teaching, and the way I knew he really cared?
Is still with me to this day!!!
I even for 3 years taught digital audio music production in schools, and thought of him nearly everyday.
After Mr. Knatt, I kept going with Hip Hop, and made some of my own world history as Silver Shadow D.
I learned from one of his popular students, that he had heard I was doing music, and it Pleased him.
I’m still in contact with many of his 1980’s South Shore students, and we all to this day share and repeat our fondest Memories Of This Great Man.
And when those particular students hear my music, and they hear African Drums and Percussions I programmed??
That ALL say….”Sounds like you got summa’dat Mr. Knatt up in there huh, you ain’t slick, I hear it!).
Please Pardon My Long Wind. and My Own Inability To Come See Him Before His Passing.
My Deepest Condolences go out to his entire family, students, and friends.
May The Most High Be Pleased!.
Salute!!!
Derrick
I am so sad to hear the news of Mr. Knatt’s passing and would like to give my sincere condolences to the family. Mr. Knatt was one of the greatest teachers I ever had. I played flute in Jr and Sr Band at Washington between 2000 and 2002. I still talk about him to this day! I remember being so excited to have a Black educator and role model like him. We didn’t have many in Seattle Public Schools, honestly. He left a lasting impression on all of us. The discipline and dedication that he instilled in us will never be forgotten. He was tough, but we knew that he really cared. He will truly be missed.
Jimi Martin
My deepest condolences to Gaynell and family. May God bless you and comfort you at this very difficult time. May R.E. promptly join the heavenly orchestra where the music will never end.
Of all my children’s teachers over the years, Bob Knatt was the most loved. We and the Seattle music community have lost a truly magnificent teacher and a man with a great sense of humor. We all have so many stories. Bob expected excellence out of his students and he got it. He taught us all, parents included, to love music whether it was concert band (thinking back to the amazing performance of “Inchon”) or jazz. We are so grateful for having known him.
Rest in peace, Mr. Knatt.
Deepest condolences and prayers to the family during this difficult time!🙏💔🕊️🌹
My deepest sympathy to the family
Sending love to your family during this difficult time.
My fondest memory of Mr. Knatt was the Jazz Band Concerts at Washington Middle School as well as attending music class back in the late 90s. He was one of the best teachers I was able to study with. He gave me an appreciation for all genres of music.
Mr. Knatt. I’m a Damn!!!!! good flute and piccolo player because of him, he made sure that I was. I had him as a band teacher at Southshore. He sure did know how to curse butt it was either play that instrument or get out, I chose to play. I saw him years later in my late 20s in the grocery store.
R.I.H.
Mr. Knatt was my middle school band teacher at South Shore. What an amazing man! I loved playing together. Sending his family much love.
My deepest condolences to the Knatt family.
Mr. Knatt was a force to be reckoned with. He left an indelible impression on all the students who had the honor and privilege of being taught by him.
I had the privilege of experiencing this while attending South Shore Middle School, where I participated in the African Drum Ensemble during school hours and took part in after-school activities, including plays produced by Mr. Knatt, such as The Wiz and The Me Nobody Knows.
These are some of the most vivid, long-lasting, and fondest memories I have of my school days, all thanks to Mr. Knatt.
May he rest in peace, and blessings be upon him.
Mr Knatt,
Thank you for your no nonsense way of giving us what we needed to hear. He would stop a song in the middle of us playing and say – you, you’re not hitting the right note.
Sure enough I wasn’t!!
He had an ear for every single instrument and what part they played in a song or where they were supposed to hit that note. He gave me appreciation for music and to know where you fit into to the piece.
Thank you for loving music and for giving all of us the same joy. I thank you for discipline, I had to practice to get better, I had to listen to learn what melody sounded like.
You gave us all we could ever need to grow in our passion for music.
South Shore…. Music was life!
I am in prayer for you and your family during this difficult time.
Mr. Natt, the man and name known even if though my children were not in music. . He is just a giant in our Seattle. My condolence to the family he has left to grieve his loss. He will always be remembered by those who know him and those who know of him.
RIP Mr. Knatt. The Best music teacher ever. Souh Shore Band student.
We’re saddened to hear about the passing of Mr. Katz. He was a legendary musician and teacher. He had a unique ability to encourage young musicians’ love for playing music with his positive demeanor, persistence for achieving their best, acknowledging individual strengths, and encouraging students to rise to what challenged them. Sevastian, along with many other young musicians, was so fortunate to have him as a teacher and role model. Our condolences go out to Mr. Knatts family. He was truly a treasure.
Sending my deepest condolences and prayers to the family (my cousin)..I can remember the good days when we were younger and enjoyed seeing him when he would come for a visit..will be praying for y’all at this difficult time😘
abby enelow
What a gem he was. So happy my son Jonas Myers got to be in his jazz band at Washington middle school.
He had a major influence on Jonas’s career as a professional musician.
Lakesha, My condolences to you and your family. May peace find you in the beautiful memories of your dad.
Curtis and Joyce Jacquet
Gaynell we send our sincere condolences you and your family.
My sincere condolences to the Knatt family. I enjoyed working with Mr. Knatt when I was a Counselor at Washington Middle School. We shared a love of jazz. He demanded the best of his students, and they delivered. This made a difference in the lives of his students, in me, and in the whole school. Mr. Bob Knatt, rest in musical peace!
Condolences to the family! Mr. Knatt will truly be missed, I saw him last @popeyes chicken in renton,wa. He heard my voice and looked over & I heard is that Carla Greenwood, I said yes sir it is and when I Looked up it was Mr. Knatt I went over as he was in line to get that chicken(lol) I went over & gave him a hug, telling him it was so nice to see him and Its been years, since I have seen him.He was always so pleasant, & kind if you have never heard him talk you would think he was a shy person, But when he opened his mouth he showed you that he was not. He always had a word, He is the reason I am yet playing drums to this Day I am 63 years of age and I started playing drums @ South Shore Middle School in 6th @ the age of 11 I am yet playing the drums, also played guitar, the string bass, the bass guitar, but I fell in love with the drums all because Mr. Knatt encouraged me to play. I now have a legacy for my children and grand kids to pass to the next generation because of him. RIP MR. ROBERT KNATT you truly will be missed!
My condolences to all of Mr. Knatt’s family. I am grateful to each of you for having shared so much of his time with his students and their families. My daughters each played in his bands at Washington. His leadership was cornerstone in their musical education. Mr. Knatt’s concerts filled the floor of the Washington gym with music stands and excited young players, each concentrating on his direction. I marveled at his program, so many ensembles, so many students! Mr. Knatt heard and was attentive to the needs of each of all those students. What a gift he has been to Seattle!
My deepest condolences to my cousin and family
Hi Gaynell, My prayers and condolences to you and your family. Love that you’re honoring Robert with a Louisiana-style Celebration of Life.
My condolences to the family, Mr. Knatt was my favorite teacher at South Shore as well and as long ago as that is (this was 1982-83 when I was there) that level of presence speaks for itself. His smile, laugh and way of engaging us kids was a lifetime impact in the best way possible. He took my elementary school understanding of playing the sax into effectively being a woodwind specialist in high school and willing to try virtually any instrument (brass, woodwind and percussion!) But far beyond the musical education he provided us all, his way of dealing with all the different personalities and being so smooth, but also strict in a good way just left a wonderful mark on my life. Thank you for everything, Mr. Knatt, may you rest in peace and may we see you again in the next life playing your horn for the Almighty.
Sending all love and condolences to Mr. Knatt’s family. His influence spreads across the whole world.
Although he often terrified me (and most others), some of the most valuable life lessons I’ve learned to this day (I am now 30 years old) came from my 3 years in the WMS Concert and Jazz Bands with Mr. Knatt. He never accepted anything less than maximum effort and a constant strive for perfection. My deep love for music and desire to consistently better myself are largely attributable to Mr. Knatt’s tutelage during my formative years. His indelible influence on myself and countless others will last on for countless years to come.
I remember Mr. Knatt as being an excellent, but strict music teacher. He did not put up with any nonsense in his class. I remember him from my years at South Shore Middle School 1977-79. He helped facilitate my very first combo/band with a few other students. We played at school assemblies and even our 8th grade commencement. He begrudgingly allowed us to play “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summers but requested that we learn and play “To Sir With Love”, an excellent choice.
At the time, Seattle Schools had implemented a busing program to help achieve integration. My band mates were assigned to Rainier Beach HS while I was going to be bused out of my neighborhood to West Seattle. Mr. Knatt wrote a letter to the school district on my behalf and got me excused from the orders. Our little band Starfire continued to play together for the next 4 years. I have been involved in bands and playing music all of my life since then and it has brought me so much joy. Thank you Mr. Knatt, I will never forget you. 🙏
I remember Bob Knatt very well! Before I started teaching, he let me come in and do some section work with his student trumpet players. At Hamilton Middle School I worked as Director for the Junior Band, Senior Band, Strings, Guitar Class, & a Jazz Band which I started there.
I attended all the Festivals for Band, Jazz Band & Orchestra in Seattle, at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival & the N.W. Orchestra Festival. I would see Bob’s performing groups at every one of these Music Festivals and Concerts, & his groups won so many awards!! He was an inspiration to me!
I was able to observe Bob conduct his Bands & Orchestras many times, & I talked to him every chance I could, to gain more expertise & encouragement from that great man! He would spend time talking with me long after concerts were over, & I was in awe of his knowledge & caring about his students! The things I learned from him helped me to improve my own teaching techniques, & I will always thank him, wherever he is now, for imparting his knowledge to all the young teachers such as myself, & for his joy & dedication to teaching Music!
Rest in Peace Bob Knatt & thank you! I know that you will be truly missed by us all!
Oh, man. I was a trumpet player for Mr. Knatt at Southshore from ’84 to ’86, and TA’d for him when I was in 8th grade. This was just so I could hang out with him, pitch in where I could, ride around in his Camaro with the windshield opaque from Kool smoke when we had to set up for concerts. Mr. Knatt had a friend who owned a pawn shop, I recall, and he’d bring in different horns for us to try – my own horn was a piece of junk, but it’s what I had – and he’d let us try out flugelhorns, silver trumpets, cornets – just so that we could get that extra bit of tasty out of the horns that maybe our own instruments couldn’t give. He would call us all kinds of bad names when we were underperforming, too – but then we’d nail the part, and he’d get this big double-jointed smile and everything would be okay. Better than okay.
Long story short, I went on to play some at Garfield w/ Mr. Acox, and now after nearly 40 years and many different musical (mis)adventures I still play one instrument and/or another nearly every day, and there is always – always – a bit of Mr. Knatt in me when I play, especially trumpet. Revered the man and owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for getting me stuck on music.
Accept our heartfelt condolences to the Knatt family. Thank you, Robert, for the contribution to the lives of the students and to music. Few teachers achieve the degree of respect and affection that student have for you. Joanna Cullen and Jim Fox
Brother Edgar Bridges,Jr