1943
Robert
2022
Robert E. Smith Jr.
January 7, 1943 — January 2, 2022
Our Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Robert Elmer Smith Jr., passed away on January 2, 2022 at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bob was born in Valparaiso, Indiana on January 7, 1943 to Robert and Florence Smith. He is proceeded in death by his parents, brothers, James and William Smith, and nephew, Raymond Harkins.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Mary, of 54 years, son Scott (Alexia), daughter Kimberlee Hine, grandchildren, Lincoln Hine, Lauren Hine, Lilia Hine, Tyler Smith, Kate Smith, Emma (Mitchell) Hine, and Maggie Hine. Nephews, Chris (Melissa), Shaun (Larra), Wes Smith, nieces Liz (Darrell) Albright and Chris (Tracy) Turner. Robert and Wanda Harkins (Mary’s Brother and Sister in law). There are many wonderful cousins and friends we call family too!
He was a graduate of Valparaiso High School's class of 1961, where he ran cross country and track. Bob worked for the City of Valparaiso Park Service prior to joining the United States Air Force in 1963. While serving from 1963-67, Bob was stationed both in the US and Bitburg, Germany. Bob worked for GTE for 26 years, first in Chesterton, before becoming management in Elkhart, Indiana. Following his retirement from GTE in 1993, he took on roles in his daughter’s companies in Indianapolis until retiring again in 2009.
As a husband, dad and grandpa, he was an outstanding role model for loving unconditionally. Attending functions family members were involved with gave him great joy. He enjoyed participating in many sports and hobbies in his lifetime, including hunting, swimming, baseball, track, water and cross country skiing, archery, fly fishing, fly tying, travel, reading, gardening, kayaking, and boating. His favorite organizations were Casting for Recovery, Reelwomen-Reelmen of Indianapolis, Project Healing Waters and The Tie-a-Thon.
Bob’s love of nature, fly fishing and tying flies gave him the opportunity to meet new friends, teach others to fish, tie flies, share time together and enjoy the peace of nature. Teaching Mary to fly fish gave them a whole new world to explore and led them to Casting for Recovery in 2003. Bob and Mary were founding partners with Barb and Eric Simpson in starting CfR for Indiana. The opportunities to be a river guide for CfR retreats, outings with the breast cancer participants, and sharing with others what CfR accomplished became a passion for him.
There will be no service at this time. We plan on having a Celebration of Life for Bob at a later date.
May you rest in peace and enjoy Heavens Rivers!
In lieu of flowers, Mary would like for memorial donations to be made in memory of Bob to the Casting for Recovery Indiana program at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/in or mailed to: Casting for Recovery, 109 E. Oak St., Ste. 1-G, Bozeman, MT 59715. Checks should be made out to Casting for Recovery Indiana and/or in the Memo line, write “in memory of Bob Smith”.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Mary, of 54 years, son Scott (Alexia), daughter Kimberlee Hine, grandchildren, Lincoln Hine, Lauren Hine, Lilia Hine, Tyler Smith, Kate Smith, Emma (Mitchell) Hine, and Maggie Hine. Nephews, Chris (Melissa), Shaun (Larra), Wes Smith, nieces Liz (Darrell) Albright and Chris (Tracy) Turner. Robert and Wanda Harkins (Mary’s Brother and Sister in law). There are many wonderful cousins and friends we call family too!
He was a graduate of Valparaiso High School's class of 1961, where he ran cross country and track. Bob worked for the City of Valparaiso Park Service prior to joining the United States Air Force in 1963. While serving from 1963-67, Bob was stationed both in the US and Bitburg, Germany. Bob worked for GTE for 26 years, first in Chesterton, before becoming management in Elkhart, Indiana. Following his retirement from GTE in 1993, he took on roles in his daughter’s companies in Indianapolis until retiring again in 2009.
As a husband, dad and grandpa, he was an outstanding role model for loving unconditionally. Attending functions family members were involved with gave him great joy. He enjoyed participating in many sports and hobbies in his lifetime, including hunting, swimming, baseball, track, water and cross country skiing, archery, fly fishing, fly tying, travel, reading, gardening, kayaking, and boating. His favorite organizations were Casting for Recovery, Reelwomen-Reelmen of Indianapolis, Project Healing Waters and The Tie-a-Thon.
Bob’s love of nature, fly fishing and tying flies gave him the opportunity to meet new friends, teach others to fish, tie flies, share time together and enjoy the peace of nature. Teaching Mary to fly fish gave them a whole new world to explore and led them to Casting for Recovery in 2003. Bob and Mary were founding partners with Barb and Eric Simpson in starting CfR for Indiana. The opportunities to be a river guide for CfR retreats, outings with the breast cancer participants, and sharing with others what CfR accomplished became a passion for him.
There will be no service at this time. We plan on having a Celebration of Life for Bob at a later date.
May you rest in peace and enjoy Heavens Rivers!
In lieu of flowers, Mary would like for memorial donations to be made in memory of Bob to the Casting for Recovery Indiana program at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/in or mailed to: Casting for Recovery, 109 E. Oak St., Ste. 1-G, Bozeman, MT 59715. Checks should be made out to Casting for Recovery Indiana and/or in the Memo line, write “in memory of Bob Smith”.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert E. Smith Jr., please visit our flower store.
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