Robert Smith Obituary

Robert W. Smith beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend passed away peacefully at home on June 17, 2025, at the age of 92.

Bob was born September 29, 1932, in Hope, Kansas, the son of C.E. (Bill) Smith and Jean (Hostetter) Smith. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Barbara Jackson; and his first wife, Ruth Pickett Smith. He is survived by his wife, Deloris Schwada, and his and Ruth's four sons: Steve (Mary Beth) Smith of Lake Quivira, KS; Mike (Shelly) Smith of Saunderstown, RI; Brent (Cherryl) Smith of Tonganoxie, KS; and Jay Smith of the Phillipines. Bob also leaves a fantastic legacy of 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Bob attended Hope public schools until his graduation in 1950. He then attended and received his BS degree from Kansas State University in 1955, where he also played on the varsity basketball team and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Upon graduation, Bob entered the Air Force, completed flight school and flew multi-engine planes for the Military Air Force Transport Service for two and a half years.

In 1956, Bob married Ruth Pickett of Topeka, Kansas. After completing his service in the Air Force, in 1958 he became the basketball coach and taught biology at Lyons (KS) High School. During his six years in Lyons, he and Ruth had their first three sons. In 1964, for the next five years, he was the Parsons (KS) High School basketball coach and Labette County Junior College track coach while teaching biology and physical education. While at Parsons son number four was born. The family then moved to Emporia, Kansas where Bob became the athletic director and later also the vice principal of the high school. He earned his Master's and Specialist degrees in education and continued to work at Emporia High School until his retirement in 1993.

During his life, Bob helped start and fund several businesses, such as USA Sports, which had sporting goods stores in several Kansas cities and Gringo's Mexican restaurants in Emporia, Lawrence, Olathe and Kansas City. He was owner and part-owner of many residential and commercial buildings. Bob thoroughly enjoyed the entrepreneurship and risk taking associated with small business start-ups as well as investing in the stock market.

He was a devoted sports fan and loved to travel. He especially loved cruises, sailing on 67 cruises during his life.

He deeply loved his wife Ruth, and was proud of his sons and their families, and worked hard to be a good provider.

After Ruth's death in 2011, he met Deloris in 2012. They quickly developed a loving relationship; were married in late 2012 and shortly thereafter moved to Lake Quivira, Kansas. They had fun, continued traveling and loved life together. In 2018, Bob and Deloris moved to Lawrence, and although a Wildcat, enjoyed the atmosphere of a college town. With Deloris, Bob gained another family with her sons Steve (Katie) and their three children and Jim (Renay). Deloris was a wonderful companion and cared for Bob in the last years of life.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Arr: Signature Funerals, 816-214-5174