PIERRE, SD – On June 28th 2024, Robert “Bob” Lee Smith lost his battle with cancer. He fought the good fight and never gave up. He maintained a positive spirit and enjoyed kidding the nursing staff that took care of him at Maryhouse. He always had that smile till the end of life, but that is not end of his story…

Robert was born on April 30, 1944 and grew up in the family of Milo and Ruth Smith in Pierre, South Dakota. Forever the cowboy at heart, he loved spending time and working with Uncle Bill and Aunt Maddie Fratzke on the Korkow ranch. Bob grew up with the Korkow brothers (Jim, Don, and Ken) who were all like Bill and Maddie’s kids. He learned the life of hard-work associated with ranch life and had a lot of fun too. Bob loved riding horses and was on the Oahe High School Drill Team. He also enjoyed shooting jack rabbits. He had his eye on a Marlin 39a with the gold trigger. So, using his trusty single shot .22 he finally shot enough rabbits to purchase this rifle. Bob also had a paper route that he saved up $20.00 to purchase a 12 gauge Noble shotgun for hunting. Bob attended Lincoln Elementary, Middle School and then graduated from T.F. Riggs High School in 1962. One of his school highlights was being in the high school choir. He enjoyed country music and the song “Strawberry Roan” was one of his favorites. You might have been lucky to get to hear him sing it when he was in the mood.

Bob married Denise Thompson and after 14 year of marriage they divorced. They enjoy being on Oahe Drill Team and they had matching Palomino horses. They had two boys (David and Derryl) and lived in Pierre and in 1968 purchased the house on the Missouri River.

For work Bob has done quite a few different things. Out of high school he learned the ways of the cowboy working on the Fratzke and Korkow Ranches until asthma started causing health issues. He got a job with South Dakota Department of Transportation. Working as a surveyor/inspector on many roads across the State. After DOT he worked for Johnson Brother’s Construction as a bookkeeper. He started a side job for lawn care called RL’s Yard Service. In 1977, Bob purchased the fire extinguisher business from Tom Brady (former Fire Chief) and started Smith’s Fire Extinguisher Sales and Service and expanded it out to central South Dakota. He ran it from his home until health issues stopped him in 2023. Jackie Downs kept the business books and was a good friend over those years until she passed in 2015. He enjoyed spending time in the Black Hills with his special friend Susanna Bach and her family.

Over his life Bob enjoyed different activities. He was on the Howkota Bowman Archery Club and also enjoyed canoeing on the Missouri River. He served the Pierre Area as a member of the Volunteer Fire Department for almost 20 years. He was on Engine 1 and was the Captain a number of years and Fire Fighter of Year in 1974 and 1979. He also was on the Tanker Unit and Rescue Unit. Bob loved deer hunting and learned a lot from his good friend Burton Warren. Bob shot over 14 deer with his largest buck being a 6-7 white tail shot along the river in Ft Pierre with his recurve bow. This was the largest buck he every shot and one of the proudest hunting achievements as it scored 160 points in Pope and Young. He also loved pheasant hunting with his sons David and Derryl and his grandson Jared.

Bob loved his river homes at 301 and 309 East Missouri and had a passion for lawn care and keeping the properties looking well-manicured. He was awarded the Yard of the Week for August 23-29, 2003. He enjoyed moving snow and would often be up at 4:00am running his snowblower snow to make sure he and his neighbors had clean sidewalks.

As we bid farewell to Bob Smith, we celebrate a life beautifully lived and a soul that brought laughter, faith, and handiness into our lives. He believed in the value of getting to know people and the importance of hard work. His memory will continue to inspire us to find humor in our daily lives. His love for the beauty of nature and creation will live on in his family.

Survivors include two sons: David (Paula) Smith, Derryl (Kelly) Smith; four grandchildren: Jessica (David) Little, Jared Smith; Amanda (Justin) Bryson, Gunner Smith; four greatgrandchildren: Whittaker and Maren Little; Luke and Nolan Bryson. He is also survived by two brothers: Gerald “Jerry” (Mary Lou) Smith, Conrad (Lora) Smith, his special friend: Susanna Bach and all of his fellow firefighters of Engine 1.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Milo M. Smith, his mother Ruth Smith Hanigan, his step father Robert Hanigan, sisters: Marjorie Clawson, Maxine Morris Morford; and brothers: Milo Smith, Kenny Smith.

So, for the end of this story: On June 12, 2024, Bob made the greatest decision of his life as he decided it was time to get things right with his Creator. Bob repented of his sin and by faith accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He confessed his belief in Jesus for Eternal Life according to the Word of God and was Born Again. John 14:6, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 15. As believers in Christ, we look forward to seeing you again dad.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Thursday July 18 at Community Bible Church in Pierre followed by 7pm prayer service. Funeral service will be held at 10am on Friday July 19th with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery.

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