Born in Clearwater, Florida, Robert Knight grew up just north of there in Palm Harbor, a small town along the west coast of central Florida. A lifelong lover of the coast, he describes having “a little salt in his veins,” having spent much of his childhood at the beach.

His academic journey began at St. Petersburg College, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree. He then transferred to the University of Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in design with a focus in architecture. Just one year later, he completed graduate school and received a master’s degree in building construction.

Robert currently serves as a project manager for UF Health (University of Florida Health), a subsidiary of the University of Florida, where he oversees a variety of design and construction projects primarily based in Gainesville.

Outside of work, life has been especially joyful. In May 2025, Robert married his wife, Barbara, who also works at UF Health as a patient ambassador. The couple is planning a honeymoon to Europe next year and enjoying every moment of their new chapter together.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Robert has a strong background in community service. While in college, he volunteered at a state-managed facility for individuals with disabilities, contributing his time to the Horse Rider program. This therapeutic initiative taught participants how to sit on a horse to help retrain and strengthen their posture. Many of the patients he worked with faced additional physical and mental challenges, and the experience left a lasting impression on him. He recalls it as “extremely rewarding” and a meaningful part of his early life.

With a blend of service, education and design excellence, Robert exemplifies the Phi Kappa Phi spirit of integrity, achievement and lifelong learning.

Can you tell us a bit about how you and Barbara met?
I was hesitant about online dating—being a bit old-fashioned—but decided to give it a try and soon came across Barbara’s profile. We connected instantly, sharing many interests and a love for adventure, and our first date felt like we had known each other for years. The very next day, she invited me to go zip-lining, and from there, our relationship blossomed into a joyful marriage.

What’s it like working at the same organization as your spouse? 
Working at the same organization has been a wonderful change for us after previously having opposite schedules and only seeing each other on weekends. Although we’re in different departments at UF Health, we now commute together, enjoy lunch breaks during her shifts, and often share conversations about our work. Of course, she now has connections to getting things done through me, especially since my construction projects often support the very facility where she provides patient care. It’s amazing!

What inspired you to pursue a degree in Design in Architecture? 
From a young age, I loved to draw and was always taking things apart to see how they worked. My passion for design really took off when I was nine and began building a model railroad town, creating custom buildings from scrap cardboard and wood when kits didn’t exist. That experience sparked a deep love for creating spaces, and I realized how much joy I found in the design process. In high school, I learned the art of drafting real blueprints, and it became clear that a career in architecture followed by one in construction management was the right path for me.

What is your dream travel destination?
I’ve always loved the beach, so anywhere with salt water is a favorite destination for me. However, my mother’s side of the family is from Switzerland, and although it has no beaches, the breathtaking Alps and valleys hold a special place in my heart. Barbara hasn’t been yet, so we’re planning to honeymoon there next year to share that experience together.

Why did you accept the invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi?
I have always respected and cherished a sound education and loved to learn when I was in school. Being offered an invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi was a natural choice for me, not only because of the academic prowess of being a member but also because Phi Kappa Phi represents a network of people from so many backgrounds all with our own accomplishments not only in the classroom but in the work world where what we all learned is applied to solutions to society’s issues.

What is one thing most people would be surprised to learn about you? 
I was not someone that liked public speaking when I was younger.  I was not very vocal and mostly absorbed experiences rather than contributed to them.  However, as you grow, you evolve and now I not only have no fear of public speaking, but I love to share my experiences and engage in conversations to open up even more experiences through others’ accomplishments.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Having children (I have a son and daughter) and being a part of their life are so wonderful, especially watching both obtain college degrees. Being the first person in my family tree to ever go to college was a major accomplishment and had I had the funding; I might not have stopped at obtaining my master’s degree. Above all, my proudest accomplishment and most cherished perhaps is meeting my soulmate, the love of my life and writing a new and beautiful chapter together is something that I don’t know I could completely put into words.

What is your favorite holiday, and why is it your favorite?
My favorite holiday has to be Thanksgiving mostly because it was the one time every year when my entire family was able to get together.  When I became a parent, I began hosting Thanksgiving for my sisters and their families.  I get a joy out of serving others and Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to do just that.

What is your favorite book? 
I don’t have the time to read as often as I used to and I have to say that there are so many great books out there.  Currently I am reading “Brothers” which is about the life of Eddie Van Halen, the late guitar hero as seen from the perspective of his brother, Alex Van Halen.  I loved listening to Van Halen when I was growing up and as a former guitar player myself, reading about one of the most creative musical minds in rock and roll is very insightful.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I still love the beach and spending time outdoors, and Barbara enjoys kayaking and horseback riding, so we try to do both as often as we can. I also love small projects and have built a patio with a fire pit and stone seat walls. Barbara and I also grow herbs in a raised garden (she is the green thumb I just water everything) but both of us also like to travel, not only to far away destinations, but short daytrips to see places we have visited before and love and to discover new places we never thought about in the past.

To learn more about Robert and connect, visit his profile within our online member community here.

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