Robert Smith

Bob Smith was a very caring man who modeled a lifetime of hard work and sincere compassion for others. He was a loving and supportive husband and father and a cherished friend to many. He loved to show his generous side for special birthdays and holidays, including making his homemade fudge and would do anything for anyone in need. Bob's kindness and friendship will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. The 1950s were known as the decade of the baby boomer and the modern American family. Exciting times indeed with the many talents of the professional baseball player, Mickey Mantle, the rock music icon, Elvis Presley, and movie heartthrob, James Dean. Television was growing in its popularity and families joined together in living rooms across the nation to catch the latest westerns such as Gunsmoke or anything featuring Lucille Ball. Proud parents Sidney and Dawn (Horning) Smith welcomed home their newborn son, Robert, on July 15, 1951, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Born the oldest of seven children, he was an important asset to their growing family over the years. Bob lived a typical childhood of the times and enjoyed making many lasting memories with his siblings. There was never a dull moment in the Smith household! Easy going and well liked by his peers, Bob graduated with the Class of 1969 from Comstock High School. With a strong desire to serve his county, he enlisted in the United States Marines, a decision he never regretted. After twelve years he was discharged and spent time in California selling commercial real estate. Content with being single for quite some time, his life changed for the better when his sister introduced him to her co-worker, Kathy in 1999! Her mother had passed away and while they were helping to clean out her mother's home, Bob stopped over to purchase some of the furniture. Smitten from the start, they dated for a short time before he proposed. The happy couple joined in marriage on October 5, 2001, in his hometown of Kalamazoo and later settled in Vicksburg. Along with Kathy came her son, Jonathan from a previous marriage who Bob loved without measure. Later they had a son of their own, Brandon. As a dad, he was very active in the boys' lives. He supported their many school events and shared in their many successes. Active in the community he loved, Bob loved selling his pumpkins at the local Vicksburg Farmer's Market. From pumpkins, he later learned to make and sell his delicious homemade jams and maple syrup. Later, he added other farmer's honey to his list of sales making for a successful hobby over the years. Each year, he loved to share his knowledge of collecting syrup from the trees as well as the history of his small town while greeting customers at the market. Genuine and personable, Bob had a special knack for making others feel special in his presence. Whatever Bob was doing it had to involve people. He loved to spend time with each and every person he met and touched many lives over the years. In addition to the market, he satisfied this need by also hosting many sports players in the area. He hosted for the Kalamazoo Kings for a few years as well as the Bombers and for one year the Growlers. This opportunity allowed him to meet so many people and share with them his love of Michigan as well as the greater Kalamazoo community. An avid sports fan, Bob loved his WMU Broncos as well as his U of M Wolverines. Win or lose, as long as he was cheering them on alongside his friends or family, his heart was content. When it came time to reminisce, Bob loved to remember visits to his favorite place, the Soo Locks in Sault. Ste. Marie. Nothing brought him greater relaxation than watching the ships come and go through the waters below. Selflessly giving of his time over the years, Bob cherished volunteering. He was a former President of the Vicksburg Historical Society, a member of the Farmer's Market Board, and helped with the advertising of the South County News Board when they were first starting out. He was especially proud of his involvement with helping run the Harvest Festival as well as organizing the second-grade classroom trips to the Historical Village in Vicksburg. He also participated in the career days at Indian Lake Elementary and Vicksburg Middle School to demonstrate how to collect and make the maple syrup. Described as fun-loving, caring, and helpful, Bob's natural sense of humor and laid back personality will be greatly missed by his loved ones and the countless lives he touched over the years. Each time they smear jam on a slice of toast or coat a favorite dish with maple syrup may they be reminded of his special love and warm spirit. Robert E. Smith, of Vicksburg, Michigan passed away on Sunday, February 3, 2019, at the age of 67. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; son, Brandon Smith, of Vicksburg; stepson, Johnathan Donlin, of Kalamazoo. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 11th at 11 am at the Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene, with Pastor Dave Downs officiating. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service beginning at 10 am. Bob will be buried with military honors at the Fort Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Bob's webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can sign the guestbook and share a special memory. Those who wish may make contributions to Generous Hands. **At Bob's request he wanted those that attend his memorial service to dress casual with a touch of your favorite sports team attire or military attire.