Robert Steuart "Bobby" Knatz Jr., who was active in Baltimore County politics for nearly 60 years and was a trusted aide to numerous county executives and to a U.S. senator, died Saturday of complications of prostate cancer at his Reisterstown home. He was 80.
Mr. Knatz, the son of an automobile salesman and a homemaker, was born and raised in Owings Mills.
He was a 1946 graduate of Franklin High School and earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1950 from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Mr. Knatz's interest in politics began early in life and was honed by his father, who was active in county politics and was an unsuccessful candidate for county commissioner in 1946 as a member of the H. Streett Baldwin ticket.
In 1950, during his senior year at Maryland, Mr. Knatz filed for election to the House of Delegates from Baltimore County, even though he hadn't yet turned 21. He did reach the qualifying age in time for the September primary that year.
Running as an independent, Mr. Knatz explained in an interview with The Evening Sun at the time, he realized he had little hope of receiving the support of either of the county party factions.
"My action was motivated by a sincere desire to aid the Democratic Party and to further good government," he told the newspaper.
"However, I am a realist and must admit that I would be extremely surprised should the leaders of either faction demonstrate their interest in good government by supporting one so brazen enough to file without asking or even consulting them," he said.
Mr. Knatz lost the election, and after graduating from college, he served in the Army's Counterintelligence Corps from 1951 to 1953.
Returning to civilian life, Mr. Knatz went into the insurance business, and after selling the agency, established the Robert Knatz Real Estate Co. in Reisterstown.
He also remained active in county politics and was a member of the Fourth District Democratic Club.
In 1959, Mr. Knatz was named clerk of the Baltimore County Board of Supervisors of Elections, a position he held for two years before being appointed assistant to the county's director of public works.
Several months later, he was appointed secretary to Baltimore County Executive Christian H. Kahl, and he remained in the position until Spiro T. Agnew's election as county executive in 1962.
