Obituary of Roger Arthur Knight III

Roger Arthur Knight III, 76, a resident of Pompton Plains, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 20, 2023. 

Roger was born in Passaic, New Jersey, the son of Roger Arthur Knight Jr. and Elizabeth (Betty) Knight. He graduated from Clifton High School. In 1964 he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and, shortly thereafter, served in Vietnam aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Half Moon and also conducted inland Riverine Operations in Vietnam. After returning to New Jersey, he graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Roger spent over 33 years in the United States Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Reserves at Station Manasquan Inlet, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, retiring as a Chief Boatswains Mate in 2006. He was called to active duty for homeland security operations during Operation Desert Storm and was instrumental in the evacuation of Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001. He worked for the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Caven Point, Jersey City, NJ, retiring in 2016. 

Roger enjoyed his spare time attending his children’s sporting events, rooting for Army sports at West Point, and traveling to visit his children all over the world based on their own military graduations and assignments. He also spent a great deal of his time with his grandchildren. 

Roger was married to Susan Knight (nee Harper) in 1971 and they raised their family in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. He is survived by Susan, his wife of 51 years, their daughter, retired Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer Knight Kasker, U.S. Army, her husband, retired Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Kasker, U.S. Army, their son, Sergeant First Class Roger Arthur Knight IV, U.S. Army Special Forces, and his wife, Catherine Knight. Roger is also survived by four granddaughters, Karasten Kasker, Kamaren Kasker, Maeve Knight and Sadie Knight as well as his sister, Marianne Pavone and her husband James Pavone.  

A viewing will be held Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at M. John Scanlan Funeral Home from 3-7 p.m. There will be a service at the funeral home at 10 a.m. on January 25, 2023 with interment to follow at The First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift can be made to No Greater Sacrifice www.NoGreaterSacrifice.org or the Green Beret Foundation www.greenberetfoundation.org.