Robert “Bob” Frederick Michel Smith II passed away on July 24th, 2023, at the age of 82 in Laramie, Wyoming. Bob was born in Ft. Worth, Texas February 18th, 1941, to Robert & Mary Lou Smith. At a young age Bob’s lifelong passion for adventure was ignited through Boy Scouts. After attaining the rank of Eagle Scout and graduating High School, he traveled to Europe to attend the 1957 World Jamboree where his adventure passion was paired with global culture. Returning home Bob graduated from art school and enlisted in the Air Force. He served through lending the power of his artistic pen by drawing technical manuals for fighter jets used in the Vietnam war. Bob was also an accomplished athlete, once playing in the US Open of Badminton during his service in the Air Force. Additionally, he was an Olympic alternate in racewalking for the 1972 Munich Olympics. Bob continued to compete and earn medals in triathlons into his mid 70’s.
After the military, Bob was a commercial artist working for various companies including being the art director for Double Day Book Company in New York City. However, his passion for the West and mountains invited a career change so he could live and raise his children in a place he loved so dearly, Wyoming. Becoming an insurance agent in Cheyenne allowed Bob to have many adventures with family and friends in the great outdoors of the Wyoming Mountains.
Fiercely loyal to friends & family, Bob was willing to give his time and energy at a moment’s notice. He had an ability to repair or fix just about anything, even once restoring a rare 1957 Mercedes Benz by himself. His workbench was always willing to help neighbors, friends, and family with a project.
Although Bob didn’t play any musical instruments, he had a deep appreciation for symphony and opera, even taking trips to famous operas in Santa Fe and San Francisco.
Later in his life Bob worked summers at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where he drove the supply truck into the wilderness backcountry to replenish the Scouts while they were on the trail.
The Catholic Faith was also a pillar of Bob’s, and he was a Trappist Monk for a short period of time.
Bob will always be remembered for his many talents, his sense of humor, and especially his connection with others.
Bob is survived by his daughter Patricia (Laramie, WY), his son Thomas (San Francisco, CA), his brother Doug (Big Bear, CA), and his sister Elizabeth J. Eichenberger (Ft. Collins, CO).
A celebratory mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish in Ft. Collins, CO and Military burial at the Cheyenne National Cemetery will be held at a later date. In leu of flowers, donations can be made to the Philmont Wildfire Recovery Fund at: https://bit.ly/PhilmontFireRecovery
Bob Smith and I worked together for only a short time at the Wyoming Arts Council. But we stayed in touch and ate lunch many times in Cheyenne and Fort Collins. He was an opera fan and we went together to one of the broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera at a theatre in Fort Collins. It didn’t turn me into an opera aficionado, but it did prompt me to learn more about the art form. Bob talked in glowing terms about attending the BBC Proms in London. He also was able to travel to China and Japan. Bob stayed interested in those Pacific Rim countries. He prowled the Cable TV channels and found an English-language station from Japan. He may have been the only Sumo fan in Fort Collins and the magic of streaming TV brought those matches to him. Years back, I bought a 15-speed racing bike from Bob after he purchased a new one and he talked me into riding the Tour de Prairie with him during Cheyenne’s Super Day celebration. This was when he lived in Cheyenne. Bob took off like a shot and left me in the dust, cycling all the way to the finish line in Chugwater. I knew Bob as a devout Catholic and someone who had spent time living the life of a monk. I don’t think there was a vow of silence there as Bob loved to talk. Part of that was the salesman in him and partly the fact that he liked people. There were times when we talked politics even though Bob leaned more conservative than I did. I liked the fact that he considered the many sides to each issue. We never argued because we agreed that there was way too much of that. We were friends, after all, and not combatants. Bob was a good man. I will miss him. Our family in Cheyenne sends deepest condolences to Tom and Patty and family.
Sympathies from The Ohio State Buckeye watch site where Bob spent many Saturdays enjoying football with his friends. Bob would get in early to pull tables together to have places for everyone and enjoyed his popcorn while cheering on the team. He will be missed. The family will be in our prayers.