Robert E. “Bob” Smith passed away on Nov. 8, 2025 at the Saginaw VA Community Living Center Hospice/ Palliative Care. There he was given a “Final Salute” in honor of his service in the Army. Bob was born Jan. 25,1931 in Gladwin, Michigan to parents Wilbur and Vera (Taylor) Smith.
His family later moved to Saginaw where Bob graduated from Arthur Hill High School.
Bob was an avid hunter, fisherman, and general outdoorsman. He will be remembered for teaching his children and grandchildren to fish. He loved his family and we will cherish the many happy memories that were made spending time with him at the cottage. He also loved to build things.
He built both the family home and cottage. Bob enjoyed reading (especially about history), working on crossword puzzles, and playing solitaire on his computer. He loved cars and spent his retirement moving vehicles between local dealerships.
Bob served in the Army during the Korean War as a mechanic. He was stationed first in South Korea and then Japan. Bob worked for Morley Brothers in downtown Saginaw as a mechanic and truck driver. He later became a salesman working for several different trucking companies.
Bob was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Saginaw and then Christ the King Lutheran Church in Gladwin. He loved his church family. Bob spent many years participating in the church’s men’s group, as well as helping cut the grass on the church’s property. He also looked forward to Wednesday morning breakfasts with church friends. In the last few years of his life, when he no longer could go in person, he enjoyed watching the Sunday service live on his computer.
Bob met his wife, Phyllis (Noble), when they both worked at Morley Brothers.
They married on Dec. 1, 1951 and spent 62 wonderful years together. They raised four children: Christine, Brian, Jeanette, and Michael.
Bob is survived by his youngest daughter, Jeanette Kropa (Rev. Edward). He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; his daughter, Christine; his sons: Brian and Michael; his brothers: Stan and Doug; his nephew, Derek; his brotherin- law and sister-in-law, Walter and Delores; and his parents, Wilbur and Vera. He is also survived by his sister, Beverly Bridgman; nephews: Karl, Paul, Keith, Brad, Richard, Gary; and nieces: Karen and Linda; son-in-law, Richard Dvorak; daughterin- law, Marion Zerull-Heafner, Nancy Smith; and sisters-in-law: Hannah Smith and Vera Smith. Grandpa will be dearly missed by his 10 grandchildren: Nicholas Dvorak (Lesley), Phillip Dvorak (Melissa), Nathan Dvorak (Sandra), Ashley Shaw (Jon), Chelsea Smith, Zachary Zerull (Buny), Zoe Zerull, Kristyn Ramsey (Josiah), Sarah Cowgill (Jarrett), and Kaitlin Kropa.
He was blessed to have 13 great-grandchildren: Paige (Easton), Connor, Drew, Luke, Sadie, Lucy, Colin, Elliot, Harrison, Kennedy, Olivia, Liam, and Ewan.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Christ the King Lutheran Church (600 M-18, Gladwin) led by Pastor Emily Olsen-Brandt. The family will have visitation from 10-11 a.m. with the service beginning at 11 a.m. Those attending are welcome to join the family after the service for a luncheon provided and served by members of Christ the King.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church in Gladwin. The family would like to especially thank all of the aides and staff at Cornerstone Caregiving in Gladwin, Michigan. Their loving care allowed Bob to be home and have the support he needed up until his hospital stay and hospice care.