Robert Lewis Smith

Robert Lewis Smith

01/27/1936 - 10/02/2023

Robert “Bob” Lewis Smith, 87, went to his eternal home to be with our Heavenly Father on October 2nd. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Bob was a long-term resident of Hereford, AZ. He was born to Erma Hale and Lewis Smith on January 27, 1936, in Grants Lick, Kentucky. At a young age, Bob found his faith in the Lord, which he carried through his life. At nine years old, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, with his mother. He joined the Army when he was 20 years old. While he was enlisted, he was stationed at Ft. Huachuca. In 1960, he worked for Western Electric in Phoenix, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Behrends. They hit it off and married on February 10, 1961. Together, they had four children. In 1967, the family moved to Sierra Vista, where Bob worked at Raymond W. Bliss as an HVAC Technician and a Power Engineer. He continued working as a federal employee and contractor until he retired. He also worked part-time for a few years at the Ethel Berger Center.

Bob was a very proud member of the United States Army and a federal employee. The Army gave him his career, which became a big part of his life. He considered Hereford his home, and he loved it. He was an avid weather enthusiast and kept records in the area for over 40 years. He enjoyed doing things with family, going to car shows, being outdoors, gardening, watching westerns, and loved his 1967 Dodge pickup. He built two houses in Hereford with his hands and could fix just about anything. If there was something he didn't know how to do, he always found a way to figure it out. He was an ordinary man with extraordinary talents.

Bob was a man of few words, a good listener, and always gave great advice.  He would say that his wife, Barbara, was the best thing that ever happened to him. His life with Barbara was a blessing from the beginning, and they had been married for 63 years. As a father and grandfather, he was kind and dependable, which was very important to him, and he certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his family. He will truly be missed.
 

Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara. His children Robert (Toni) Smith, Suzi (Steve) Szymeczek, Paul (Lezlee) Smith, and Michael (Pamala) Smith. His grandchildren, Renee, Christine, Steven, Derek, and Jessica, and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery on October 12, 2023, at 12 p.m. The Smith family will be present to welcome anyone who knows Bob. Please send memorial donations to Peach's Pantry or a local charity of your choice.

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