ROBERT LEE KNOUS, FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Former Lt. Gov. Robert Lee Knous died Monday at his home after a lengthy illness.
He was 82. Mr. Knous served as lieutenant governor from 1959 until 1967 and in the Colorado Senate from 1953 until 1957. A Democrat, he ran for office at a time when lieutenant governors and governors were elected on separate tickets. ''He served the first four years under Gov. Steve McNichols, then in 1962 he was elected lieutenant governor when John Love won the governor's race,'' said Bob Knous Jr., his son.
''My dad was the only Democrat to win a statewide race in 1962. There were 18 statewide races, including the Supreme Court. Seventeen Republicans and my father won that year. ''Then he ran against John Love (for governor) in 1966. That was the year - unfortunately - that every Democrat lost.'' Politics was an early way of life for Mr. Knous, who was the son of former Colorado governor and Supreme Court Justice William Lee Knous. While lieutenant governor, Mr. Knous made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1960, losing to Gordon Allott.He was asked during his career why he was so interested in politics.
''A man only lives once,'' Mr. Knous said. ''I think he ought to be a part of life - actively, not as a bystander.''
His son said he recalled that quote today to his daughter when they were discussing his father's career in politics and law. Mr. Knous was born Nov. 1, 1917, in Ouray. He attended Montrose public schools and graduated from the University of Colorado. After World War II, he received a law degree from the University of Denver. During World War II, he served as a Navy pilot and a fighter instructor, logging more than 3,500 flight hours. While serving in the legislature, he wrote Colorado's Old Age Pension Act after then-Gov. Ed C. Johnson named him chairman of a special Commission on the Aged. He was a past member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations and a member of many civic and community organizations.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth; children Kathleen Jackson of La Veta, Kristine Barbour of Trinidad, Bob Jr. and William, both of Denver, and Jack of Elbert; brother Merle of Creede; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.∼Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Air Corps, World War II. Democratic member of the Colorado State Senate from 1953 to 1957, and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado from 1959 to 1967. Unsuccessful Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 1960, and for Governor in 1966. Graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, and from the University of Denver School of Law.
Former Lt. Gov. Robert Lee Knous died Monday at his home after a lengthy illness.
He was 82. Mr. Knous served as lieutenant governor from 1959 until 1967 and in the Colorado Senate from 1953 until 1957. A Democrat, he ran for office at a time when lieutenant governors and governors were elected on separate tickets. ''He served the first four years under Gov. Steve McNichols, then in 1962 he was elected lieutenant governor when John Love won the governor's race,'' said Bob Knous Jr., his son.
''My dad was the only Democrat to win a statewide race in 1962. There were 18 statewide races, including the Supreme Court. Seventeen Republicans and my father won that year. ''Then he ran against John Love (for governor) in 1966. That was the year - unfortunately - that every Democrat lost.'' Politics was an early way of life for Mr. Knous, who was the son of former Colorado governor and Supreme Court Justice William Lee Knous. While lieutenant governor, Mr. Knous made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1960, losing to Gordon Allott.He was asked during his career why he was so interested in politics.
''A man only lives once,'' Mr. Knous said. ''I think he ought to be a part of life - actively, not as a bystander.''
His son said he recalled that quote today to his daughter when they were discussing his father's career in politics and law. Mr. Knous was born Nov. 1, 1917, in Ouray. He attended Montrose public schools and graduated from the University of Colorado. After World War II, he received a law degree from the University of Denver. During World War II, he served as a Navy pilot and a fighter instructor, logging more than 3,500 flight hours. While serving in the legislature, he wrote Colorado's Old Age Pension Act after then-Gov. Ed C. Johnson named him chairman of a special Commission on the Aged. He was a past member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations and a member of many civic and community organizations.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth; children Kathleen Jackson of La Veta, Kristine Barbour of Trinidad, Bob Jr. and William, both of Denver, and Jack of Elbert; brother Merle of Creede; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.∼Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Air Corps, World War II. Democratic member of the Colorado State Senate from 1953 to 1957, and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado from 1959 to 1967. Unsuccessful Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 1960, and for Governor in 1966. Graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, and from the University of Denver School of Law.
ROBERT LEE KNOUS, FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Former Lt. Gov. Robert Lee Knous died Monday at his home after a lengthy illness.
He was 82. Mr. Knous served as lieutenant governor from 1959 until 1967 and in the Colorado Senate from 1953 until 1957. A Democrat, he ran for office at a time when lieutenant governors and governors were elected on separate tickets. ''He served the first four years under Gov. Steve McNichols, then in 1962 he was elected lieutenant governor when John Love won the governor's race,'' said Bob Knous Jr., his son.
''My dad was the only Democrat to win a statewide race in 1962. There were 18 statewide races, including the Supreme Court. Seventeen Republicans and my father won that year. ''Then he ran against John Love (for governor) in 1966. That was the year - unfortunately - that every Democrat lost.'' Politics was an early way of life for Mr. Knous, who was the son of former Colorado governor and Supreme Court Justice William Lee Knous. While lieutenant governor, Mr. Knous made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1960, losing to Gordon Allott.He was asked during his career why he was so interested in politics.
''A man only lives once,'' Mr. Knous said. ''I think he ought to be a part of life - actively, not as a bystander.''
His son said he recalled that quote today to his daughter when they were discussing his father's career in politics and law. Mr. Knous was born Nov. 1, 1917, in Ouray. He attended Montrose public schools and graduated from the University of Colorado. After World War II, he received a law degree from the University of Denver. During World War II, he served as a Navy pilot and a fighter instructor, logging more than 3,500 flight hours. While serving in the legislature, he wrote Colorado's Old Age Pension Act after then-Gov. Ed C. Johnson named him chairman of a special Commission on the Aged. He was a past member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations and a member of many civic and community organizations.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth; children Kathleen Jackson of La Veta, Kristine Barbour of Trinidad, Bob Jr. and William, both of Denver, and Jack of Elbert; brother Merle of Creede; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.∼Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Air Corps, World War II. Democratic member of the Colorado State Senate from 1953 to 1957, and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado from 1959 to 1967. Unsuccessful Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 1960, and for Governor in 1966. Graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, and from the University of Denver School of Law.
Former Lt. Gov. Robert Lee Knous died Monday at his home after a lengthy illness.
He was 82. Mr. Knous served as lieutenant governor from 1959 until 1967 and in the Colorado Senate from 1953 until 1957. A Democrat, he ran for office at a time when lieutenant governors and governors were elected on separate tickets. ''He served the first four years under Gov. Steve McNichols, then in 1962 he was elected lieutenant governor when John Love won the governor's race,'' said Bob Knous Jr., his son.
''My dad was the only Democrat to win a statewide race in 1962. There were 18 statewide races, including the Supreme Court. Seventeen Republicans and my father won that year. ''Then he ran against John Love (for governor) in 1966. That was the year - unfortunately - that every Democrat lost.'' Politics was an early way of life for Mr. Knous, who was the son of former Colorado governor and Supreme Court Justice William Lee Knous. While lieutenant governor, Mr. Knous made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1960, losing to Gordon Allott.He was asked during his career why he was so interested in politics.
''A man only lives once,'' Mr. Knous said. ''I think he ought to be a part of life - actively, not as a bystander.''
His son said he recalled that quote today to his daughter when they were discussing his father's career in politics and law. Mr. Knous was born Nov. 1, 1917, in Ouray. He attended Montrose public schools and graduated from the University of Colorado. After World War II, he received a law degree from the University of Denver. During World War II, he served as a Navy pilot and a fighter instructor, logging more than 3,500 flight hours. While serving in the legislature, he wrote Colorado's Old Age Pension Act after then-Gov. Ed C. Johnson named him chairman of a special Commission on the Aged. He was a past member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations and a member of many civic and community organizations.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth; children Kathleen Jackson of La Veta, Kristine Barbour of Trinidad, Bob Jr. and William, both of Denver, and Jack of Elbert; brother Merle of Creede; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.∼Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Air Corps, World War II. Democratic member of the Colorado State Senate from 1953 to 1957, and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado from 1959 to 1967. Unsuccessful Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 1960, and for Governor in 1966. Graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, and from the University of Denver School of Law.
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