Wednesday, June 29, 2022
To Barbara, Lance, and Kimberly Sending you comfort and blessings! Your dad was my very first boss (at Cincinnati Shoe) for a couple of years and he was wonderful. Kind, smart and stylish, he was also entertaining. At that time, he was Chief Buyer/Stylist for fashion shoes (the most fun category). I was his assistant and learned so much from working with him. I remember him as efficient, yet easy-going and good-natured. He kept his office organized and tidy. Bob Knowles was cool and didn’t get rattled. He always looked sharp and favored French cuffs and artful ties. He had a quick smile and a special way of endearing himself to people. His Texas drawl was a novelty in Ohio. Whenever an especially chic shoe sample landed in his office, he would scoop it up and jump out to my desk to show me, then he’d be up the hallway in a flash to show it to his boss, Herb Kotkin. Sometimes he would disappear in the hallways and I would need to page him on the PA. “Bob Knowles, please call extension 505. Mr. Bob Knowles, please call 505.” Beverly visited the office now and then – she was so lovely and elegant! I loved seeing them together and hearing them chat and laugh. He kept a gorgeous photo of her on his desk. On my 21st birthday, a workday, Bob took me downtown to the newest fun Mexican restaurant. He said, “You’re legal now, so time for a birthday cocktail.” And that was my first Margarita. He said not to worry about taking a long lunch and promised “not to tell my boss.” Later that year, I was thrilled that Bob and Beverly came to my wedding. The day after the wedding I moved to New York and thanks to Bob, had a job already waiting for me at Marx & Newman in the Empire State Building. I was on my way in my exciting new life, thanks to him. Bob and I caught up with each other in the late 1970s at a shoe show in LA. It was delightful seeing him again. We shared a sandwich and plenty of old stories. I have countless happy memories of Bob and feel blessed to have known him. Peace and love, Kathy (Rutland) Magid Orinda, California
