United Banks Service Company
Obituary: Roger D. Knight, Jr.
United Banks Service CompanyObituary: Roger D. Knight, Jr. |
| From the
"Rocky Mountain News": Knights well-known in Colorado banking Father dies at 94; son follows three days later at 67 Roger D. Knight Jr.'s vision led to creation of United Banks. By David Milstead, Rocky Mountain News September 15, 2007 Roger D. Knight Jr. went from baking to banking and became one of the founders of United Banks of Colorado. His son, Roger D. Knight III, followed him into the industry but worked for a competitor, First National Bank of Denver. Roger D. Knight Jr. died Tuesday at the age of 94. His son, due soon for major heart surgery, followed: Roger D. Knight III died Friday at the age of 67. With their passing, Colorado loses two legendary and respected bankers. Roger Knight Jr., worked in a family flour-milling business, rising to president of Campbell-Sell Baking Co. In 1949, he joined the board of U.S. National Bank. Five years later, he left the flour company and became bank president. At a time when Colorado banks were stunted by restrictive laws that prohibited branching, Roger Knight Jr. and his colleagues found a way to create what would become the state's dominant bank. In 1964, what was then the Denver-U.S. National Bank formed a holding company that ultimately became United Banks of Colorado. "From the '60s to the early '90s, United really reigned in Colorado," said Wells Fargo regional President Tom Honig, who worked for Roger Knight Jr. early in his career. "It was because of the vision of Roger, Bernie Hart, Neil Roberts and John Hershner." Former Wells Fargo regional President David Bailey started at Denver-U.S. National Bank in 1964 as a teller, watching Roger Knight Jr., then CEO. At a time when the bank had one of the largest drive-through banks in the country at East 17th Avenue and Lincoln Street, cars would get snarled, but Roger Knight Jr. chipped in to help. "Friday afternoon, here's a wealthy guy, the CEO of the bank, out in the street directing traffic," Bailey said. On other occasions, he "would go around picking up paper clips because he was afraid someone would slip." Roger Knight Jr.'s service included the boards of the University of Denver, the former Museum of Natural History and the Denver Chamber of Commerce. His son, Roger Knight III, started at First National Bank-Denver in the 1960s, ultimately rising to senior positions. After First National Bank- Denver's sale to First Interstate, Roger Knight III worked at MetroBank, which was owned by oilman Marvin Davis; Bank of Aurora; the Resolution Trust Corp., which worked to resolve problem savings and loans; and AXA Financial. He retired a year ago, said his wife, Barbara Carver Knight. Roger Knight III was in the hospital for tests on his heart, hoping to delay surgery to make arrangements for his father, when he died. "He was forward-thinking, innovative, well-respected and well-known," said Barbara Walker of the Independent Bankers of Colorado. Roger Knight Jr., born June 3, 1913, is survived by his daughter, Susan Reeman; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. His wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Fedou Knight, died in 1999. Roger Knight III, born March 4, 1940, in Denver, is survived by his wife; a sister; a daughter, Heather Knight Sakr; a son, Roger Knight IV; and stepdaughters Jennifer Carver and Kim Carver. From the Denver Newspaper Agency web site: Roger Davis Knight Jr. and Roger Davis Knight III A reception celebrating the lives of Roger Davis Knight, Jr. and Roger Davis Knight, III will be 4:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday, Horan & McConaty Reception Center, 3101 S. Wadsworth. Memorial contributions may be made to University of Colorado Hospital Division of Transplant, 1635 N. Ursula St., P.O. Box 6510, Aurora, CO 80045, or to Porter Hospice @ Johnson Center, 7995 E. Prentice Ave., Ste. 204, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Published in the Denver Newspaper Agency from 9/17/2007 - 9/18/2007. |
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