In his youth Bob was active in 4-H and was an accomplished athlete in high school, playing football, basketball, and running track. Bob graduated from Bayard High School in 1963.

After high school, he worked as a plumbing assistant at Siegfried Plumbing and briefly attended the Nebraska State Trade School in Milford and Chadron State College before beginning farming with his dad, Jake. Bob and Jake were later joined in the farming operation by Bob’s brother Wayne. Bob loved farming. He grew sugar beets, corn, alfalfa, and dry edible beans, and periodically owned cattle.

Bob annually planted at least one sweet corn patch that was regularly visited by many in the community.

Bob was married August 8, 1970, to his wife Signe, whom he loved dearly and annoyed regularly for over 50 years. He enjoyed teaching his sons Wade and Andrew how to farm, hunt, and fish. Bob knew all the best fishing holes along the length of the Red Willow Creek. He was known to enjoy the occasional Budweiser and never missed the annual 4th of July gathering at “the tree.”

Bob was a kind person who enjoyed life and spending time with friends and family. He especially loved bonding with his grandchildren. He was notoriously hard on vehicles and equipment, and scattered tools and hardware across nearly every acre he ever farmed.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Alvina (Reiber) Kniss and grandson Angel.

He is survived by his wife Signe Kniss (Erickson), his brother Wayne (Cheryl) Kniss and sister Jennifer (Vern) Meyer, all of Bayard; sons Wade (Tara) Kniss of Bentonville, Arkansas and Andrew (Kate) Kniss of Laramie,Wyoming; and grandchildren Brooklyn, Avery, Thatcher, and Burke.