On Dec. 3, 2022, the world lost a bright light when Thayne RyChard Knop, 44, of Brooklyn, N.Y. passed away. He was smart, incredibly silly, fun loving, stylish, and he savored both high-end luxuries and the simpler pleasures in life. There are endless stories of his creativity and ability to make others laugh effortlessly, he was unapologetically himself and gave others the courage to do the same.
Born March 21, 1978, in Great Bend, Kan. to Jacque Schartz Knop and Gary F. Knop. Thayne grew up in Ellinwood, Kan. and he was a graduate of Ellinwood High School. He studied Computer Science at the University of Kansas before jumping in a car and driving to New York City, the place that he dearly loved and called home for the remainder of his life.
Thayne worked at ParamountCBS (formerly ViacomCBS) for over 22 years, holding the position of Vice-President of Emerging and Content Management Technologies. He was deeply respected for his talent, intelligence, and ingenuity. He was someone who drew people in with his exceptional leadership and joyous spirit.
Thayne was an avid traveler. His career and friendships took him on adventures throughout the world.
Thayne was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Ralph Schartz, Eleanor Driscoll Schartz Spacil, Ernest Pete Spacil and by his fraternal grandparents Leonard and Hilda Fuhr Knop. He is survived by his spouse, Santiago Restrepo Montes, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his mother Jacque of WaKeeney, Kan.; his father Gary of Ellinwood, Kan.; his sister Micci (Kenneth) Windholz of Hill City, Kan.; his brother Canyon (Mary) Knop of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; his niece Stephanie (Nick) Wade of Boulder, Colo.; his grandnephew Ender Clark Wade; and motherin-law Eliana Montes of Medellin, Colombia. He is also survived by extended family and countless friends throughout the world.
A Memorial Celebration of Thayne’s life was held on December 14, 2022, in Brooklyn, N.Y. A second Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, from 2-5 at the Wolf Hotel, 1 N. Main Street in Ellinwood, Kan.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 8, 2023
