Robert Edward Smith

Robert Edward Smith was born August 5, 1935, the third child of Glen Smith and Elsie Wheeler Smith. Bob was raised on a ranch in Grangemont, Idaho, not far from Orofino where he went to school and was active in sports and played football. He joined the U.S. Army where he served in the medical corps and drove a duce-and-a-half truck. At 19 years of age, Bob met and married Barbara Ellen Baldwin in Orofino on January 30, 1955. He shipped out to Regensburg, Germany 11 days later and spent the next 13 months overseas before coming home to his 17-year-old bride. He bragged about them not having a fight for over a year of marriage. As head of their home, he and Barbara lived in Kooskia, Idaho, where he worked on the green chain at the local White Pine Mill. They later moved to Seattle, Washington when Bob was hired by the Boeing Co.; he worked as a supervisor for Boeing, retiring in 1994. At a large retirement party thrown by his crew, they presented him with a labeled Oscar for being “the best boss they had ever had.” They also gave him a leather coat and a boat motor. Soon after moving to Washington, Bob and Barbara built a house in Renton and raised a son, Kelly Eugene, and a daughter, Traci Denise. Bob was able to do many things. He could design and build almost anything, and was a great mechanic and electrician. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and a Husky and Seahawk fan. Bob was a jack-of-all-trades and a master of many. During these years, daughter Traci gifted them with three babies, Natasha, Ryan and Cody; and son Kelly gifted them with a son, Kyle. Bob and Barbara were so proud to become grandparents; they were even given a grandparents’ shower by their friends. Ryan, Traci’s son, grew up and blessed the family with his bride Elyssa two years ago. In 1998, Bob and Barbara sold the Renton home and the summer place in Beverly, not far from the Vantage Bridge. They bought a ranch 12 miles from Coulee City, Washington, where Kelly now raises Black Angus cattle and started a business named St. Andrews Farms. They began selling meat to stores, schools and private treaties. This is also where they still live. Bob loved the ranch and the two lakes on it with wide open spaces. He was very active even after he fell off a tall hay stack and found out he did not bounce well. Bob was a wonderful parent, grandparent and husband, a good example, and a good provider. He loved his family dearly. Bob started having health problems four years ago with heart attacks, dialyses, and a variety of other issues requiring he go to Tacoma for cancer treatment. He and Barbara were able to stay with Traci and her husband, Shawn Lorimer, during this time. Last January, they celebrated their 62nd anniversary. They were treated like Royalty as a special gift from their granddaughter, Natasha; it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. People said this marriage would not last but it has PROUDLY stood the test of time. The combination of these illnesses and vein blockages caused his death on September 28, 2017 at 11:00 p.m. at Tacoma General Hospital. Bob went to meet his Maker with a peaceful heart and free of pain and suffering at the age of 82. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Richard. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and sister, June Clark of Orofino, Idaho. His family will miss him greatly and love him dearly, but are glad he is resting now in God’s arms. Please leave memories of Bob or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.