Robert Rhett Knoth

Robert Rhett Knoth, 81, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Sally Knoth, entered into eternal rest Friday, August 29, 2025. The family will hold a visitation Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel. His Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 4, 2025, in St. Michael's Church, 71 Broad Street at 1:00 pm. The interment will be in St. Philip's Churchyard at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow for friends and family at the Carolina Yacht Club at 50 East Bay Street.

Robert was born May 20, 1944, in Charleston, South Carolina, son of Robert Frederic Knoth and Margaret Rhett Knoth. He is a ninth generation Charlestonian and direct descendant of Colonel William Rhett who arrived to Charles Towne in 1694. He was a graduate of the Porter Military Academy class of 1962 and was President of the Porter Military Academy Alumni Association Board. Post graduation, he attended the Berkshire Prep School in Sheffield, Massachusetts and graduated from the Baptist College of Charleston. He earned a spot on the varsity football team at Porter Military Academy and at the Berkshire School. His talents on the field led to his passion for coaching football, not only for his own children but as a volunteer at the Hazel Parker Playground for 8 years. He was a member of the Carolina Yacht Club serving several terms on the executive committee. He was a dedicated member of St Philips Church serving as an acolyte in his youth and as an usher and a teacher of Sunday School in his adulthood. He was also a member of the Hibernian Society, the Society of Colonial Wars and served in the National Guard. He was a delegate for the United States Polo Association and a member for 40 years playing polo all over the country and most notably in Palm Beach, Florida. He was a licensed real estate broker and member of the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. Among his many entrepreneurial endeavors can be included a mens haberdashery on East Bay Street founded in 1972 called "The Charleston Shop” and a cocktail lounge called “The Opera House” on Pinckney Street. He was also proprietor of Carolina Polo and Carriage Company, founded in 1989 and subsequently earned him the designation as a lifelong licensed tour guide for the City of Charleston. He loved to dance the shag and on any given Friday night, you could find he and his “bride” dancing their hearts out in downtown Charleston. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved to water ski. He hailed from a generation that used to water ski on the Isle of Palms being pulled, not only by boat, but by Carolina Marsh Tacky horses running along the sandy shore. For the last few years of his life, he lived with his wife of fifty five years at Rhett Hall, the family estate in Salters, SC.

Along with his beloved wife, Robert is survived by his two sons, Robert Rhett Knoth, Jr. (Catherine), Richard Rhett Knoth (Christina); daughter, Rhett Ortiz-Knoth (Ben Ortiz-Suslow); Grandchildren, Amber, Cora, Rhett, Bobby, Gus and Benjamin.

Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Philip's Church 142 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401.