Robin Knox Little

Robin Knox Little died peacefully in his home of sixty-five years in Normandy Park, Washington, on June 22, 2020. A private family graveside service will be held at the Swauk Cemetery.

He was born in Yonkers, New York, on November 17, 1928. He grew up primarily in Summit, New Jersey, the eldest of six children. While in elementary school he met Carol Michon who would one day become his wife. He graduated from Summit High School in 1946 and from Princeton University with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering in 1950.

Immediately after graduating from college and with a job offer from Boeing in hand, he and Carol were married. They began what would be an adventurous seventy years of marriage by moving across the country to Seattle on their honeymoon. Four children, a 35-year career with Boeing, and a home he built himself followed. Together the family enjoyed camping, hiking, boating, skiing and traveling, often in the company of friends.

During his time at Boeing he did market research, design work and sales for the 707, 727, 737, and 747.  It was on one of his earliest sales trips that he helped sell the first commercial jet, the 707, to Lufthansa Airlines. He finished his career at Boeing in sales and market research for the commercial Jetfoil program.

In 1970 Robin and Carol bought their beloved ranch in Cle Elum, the Lazy Bar L. After he retired in 1984, they split their time between Eastern and Western Washington. He raised hay and beef, taught Aerodynamics part time at Central Washington University, and served on the Kittitas County planning commission.

After retirement he also began to research and write a historical novel based on his family history, “The Second of July”, which spanned many significant events in our nation’s history. In his afterword, he very presciently describes solving the many issues involving race relations as the great task remaining to this country.

Robin is survived by Carol, his wife, siblings Mary D. Cutting (James) and Lawrence E. Little (Kathy), children Mary E. (Lissa) Vavrek (John), Stephen K. Little (Ella), James C. Little (Karen) and David M. Little (Anne), ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with caring for Robin's family.