Dr. Robert O. Smith MD Obituary (1923 - 2013)

Ice cream! Or, a trip to Nepal, or a game of golf with the grandkids, or a good book. Robert Oliver Smith got the most out of life. He accomplished much, and he inspired others to accomplish more. Dad did the big things in life, but never lost his appreciation of the little things. If ever there was a man that made the best of his days on this earth, it was Dad. For him, every day was a good day, a blessing from God, to be experienced with a sense of wonder and humility. Robert O. Smith died April 25, 2013, at his home in Tucson AZ, after a two week battle with a very aggressive malignancy, Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma. He is survived by his wife Jean, four children, four grand children, and three great grand children. Dad's story began in Detroit Michigan. He was born May 12, 1923 to Guy W. Smith and Nellie (Davidson) Smith. He spent his youth in Detroit with his brother, Charles "Wilf" Smith. As a boy, he enjoyed singing in the choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church, singing in school musicals, playing tennis, and ice-skating on the ponds at Palmer Woods. He graduated from Thomas M Cooley high school and then pursued a college education at Wayne State University. When WWII came, he elected to enlist in the US Army, who offered to send him to medical school. After graduation from Wayne State Medical School in 1947, and training at Detroit's Harper hospital, he completed a surgical residency at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids MI. During his medical training, he met the love of his life, Jean F. (Kinley) Smith. They were married September 25, 1948. After completion of his surgical training, he transferred from the Army to the then fledgling US Air Force. He and Mom moved to Las Vegas, where Dad served as a flight surgeon at Nellis Air Force Base. At the end of his military commitment in 1953, he elected to move to the small town of Ionia, Michigan. There, the young doctor hung out his shingle and he compassionately practiced medicine for 37 years. Dedicated to his community, he was a member of the Lion's club, served on the Ionia School Board for 20 years, and acted as the team physician for the Ionia Bull Dogs Football team for 37 years! Dad seldom missed a game. Dad was an old school, country doctor, it was not uncommon for him, after receiving a phone call, to immediately get up from the dinner table and rush to the hospital to provide care for the sick or injured. We saw that happen many times, and we always admired his dedication to his profession and to the people of his community Dad was a deeply spiritual man. There was often a bible on his reading stand. He was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Ionia, including many years of participation in his church choir. During his years in Ionia, he and Jean raised 3 daughters, Jane (David) MacPherson, Wendy (Alan) Lawson, Tamara (Andy) Byerly, and one son, Tim Smith. In later years, his family grew, to include grandchildren: Andy & Joe Macpherson and Rob & Mary Jean Lawson. He had three great grand children, Carli Crofts and Emma MacPherson (Andy and Kate MacPherson) and first great grandson, Noam MacPherson-Reichel (Joe MacPherson and Nilu Reichel) In retirement, he and Mom moved to Florida where they spent many days, golfing, playing tennis, cheering for their favorite sports teams (Dad was a HUGE sports fan), and enjoying the ocean near Fort Pierce. In 2001, they moved to Tucson, Arizona to be closer to family. A very active senior citizen, Dad enjoyed skiing into his 70's, golf and tennis into his late 80's. Dad never stopped learning. He and mom traveled extensively. He understood and appreciated, that we live in a great big beautiful world. Dad led by example. He was our family patriarch. We gathered around him as often as we could, always grateful for the strong foundation he provided, and the life example he set. He was a great teacher because he showed us how to be learners. He worked hard, played hard, laughed a lot, and always made time for his friends and family. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. Dad was our hero. We loved him with all our heart. We ask that those who wish to remember and honor Dad, enjoy some ice cream with your family today, and in future days. How dad loved his ice cream! It was one of those simple pleasures, shared with his loved ones, that seemed to mean as much to him as his career or his travels. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the "Youth in Government" club at Corona del Sol High School, Tempe Arizona, where his son, Tim, has actively promoted the understanding of the U.S. constitution by his high school students, and has led his team of students to national competitions on several occasions. Mail donations: Corona del Sol High School 1001 East Knox Rd, Tempe AZ 85284, attention Youth in Government Club. Donations can also be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help advance research to find better therapies and possibly cures for the cancer that took this good man from us. Donations here: http://www.lls.org/waystohelp/donate/donateonline/