Gary Knight Obituary

John Petrone '63 said:

FRIENDS MOURN CYCLIST KILLED AT S.F. INTERSECTION
Gary Knight remembered as `Renaissance man'

As friends mourned the traffic death of a San Francisco bicyclist they described as a "healer and Renaissance man," city officials pondered ways to stem the carnage caused by motorists running red lights.
Gary Knight, 52, was killed Tuesday by truck driver Bruce King, who ran a red light at the intersection of Park Presidio Boulevard and Lake Street. Police said King was checking an address on his clipboard and failed to notice the changing light.
Knight was a well-known figure in the San Francisco dance community. He founded "Barefoot Boogie" 13 years ago, a SoMa venue that convenes twice weekly to provide dancing opportunities in an environment free of smoking, drug use or drinking.
"He was a masseur, dancer and artist who specialized in creating safe places for dance, for children, for friendship, for complaining," said Peter Roselli. "I've never known a man who was more loved."
Randall Alifano described Knight as an incorrigible matchmaker who set him up with his wife, Monica. "He used to give these wonderful dinner parties, and so many people wanted to be invited that he had to hold two of them -- dinner party 'A' and 'B,' " reminisced Alifano with a rueful laugh.

"Gary's family told us they want his friends to divide up his possessions," said a tearful Patti Boucher, casting her eyes about the artwork and furniture that Knight created with his own hands. "We're all going to take a little something. We all need a piece of Gary to carry away with us."
A memorial bicycle ride will be held in San Francisco this weekend to honor Knight. For details, call the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition at (415) 431-2453.

By Glen Martin, Chronicle Staff WriterSep 12, 1996

John C. Kovalo '62 said:

I feel privileged to have had Gary as a friend. He was so vibrant and alive, always ahead of the pack in his musical and artistic tastes, and to say his sense of humor was beyond the pale would be a colossal understatement. Typical of his outrages was the time when he rewrote the Bible, with himself (Who else?) as God and Jesus and the Disciples renamed "J.C. and His Twistin' Twelve" [remember the twist?] . I subsequently heard him walking down the hallway bastardizing Little Peggy March's "I will follow Him" into "I will follow MEEE, follow me wherever I will go....."
But seriously, folks, he had a quiet, introspective side as well, and was a terrific friend to all. He would hang out with any crowd, was adored by all the girls, and could turn tough in an instant if bullied. He gleefully lived in his own world, followed his own Muse, and didn't give a damn about what anyone thought of what he was or what he did. He once paid $150 in 1962 dollars for an OIL PAINTING - a rather nice Impressionistic still life; but what high school boy in the Valley would do THAT? Somehow, I'll always picture him standing on the stage of our wonderful little auditorium, the avant-garde jazz he selected playing on the sound system, making outrageously funny comments about the script. Or being the most graceful dancer on the floor at the Hop. That's our Gary. I still miss him.

John Petrone '63 said:

When Elvis Presley hit the scene, Gary Knight followed and emulated him. Gary was also the one who sponsored high school dances that were held in the old condemned High School, which was located catty-corner from the current high school, but has since been torn down and replaced with a playground. Gary was an exceptional rock and roll dancer and he continued to sponsor neighborhood dances after he moved to San Francisco.

Gary passed away on Sep 10, 1996. I believe his death was caused when a vehicle hit him when he was riding his bicycle on the Streets of San Francisco.