Robert Knapp

1946 - 2023

Robert Knapp
February 12, 1946 - September 17, 2023
Robert Carlyle Knapp passed away on September 17, 2023, in Oakland, California, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Robert, the son of Gail Dankert Knapp and Austin Carlyle Knapp, was born in Lansing, Michigan on February 12, 1946. He earned his B.A. degree in 1968 from Central Michigan University and in 1973 completed his Ph.D. in Ancient History at the University of Pennsylvania. He started his academic career in the Classics Department at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. It was there that he met his future wife, Carolyn Smith. He then moved on to a brief stint in the History Department at the University of Utah before settling into the Classics Department at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1974. Robert remained at Berkeley for the rest of his academic career, advancing eventually to the rank of Professor. In addition to his teaching and research, he served in numerous administrative posts including Chair of the Classics Department and of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, as a Dean in the College of Letters and Sciences, and as Chair of the Berkeley faculty Senate. He retired in 2006.
While at Berkeley, Robert won the Letters and Science Outstanding Undergraduate Advising Award in 2002 for his commitment to undergraduate education and the Berkeley Citation in 2006 for his 30 years of service to the University. In 2012, he was named the Distinguished Alumnus of the year at his alma mater, Central Michigan University.
Teaching his students at Berkeley was one of Robert's passions, and he continued to teach freshmen seminars even as an emeritus professor. Freshmen and graduate students alike valued his perspectives on the Roman world as well as his wit and his kindness. During his academic career, he researched and wrote on a variety of topics related to his first love, Roman Spain, later turning his focus to Roman social history, especially the story of ordinary men and women in Romano-Greek antiquity, which was the focus of one of his bestselling books, Invisible Romans. In his retirement, Robert enjoyed researching the local history of Clare, Michigan, and wrote several books about the history of it, including Gangsters Up North and Mystery Man. In addition to his academic pursuits, Robert was an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Oakland and was part of the leadership of Friends of El Salvador, a group that focuses its efforts on helping the small rural community of Miramar, and particularly Guajoyo School.
Robert is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carolyn, of Oakland; his daughter, Abigail, son in law Chris and granddaughter Ava, of Irvine; and daughter Hannah, son-in-law Rob, and grandchildren Gilbert and Henry, of Martinez. Robert's parents and older brother predeceased him. He also leaves behind countless friends and extended family who will all miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your favorite charity in Robert's name. A memorial service will be held in Oakland, California, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito, on November 4th at 10:30 a.m.