Robert Lowell SMITH

SMITH, LEHMAN, HOYT, HENG, HIBBEN, COOPER, WELCH, HIBBEN-LEVI, LEVI, ELEFSRUD, ELEFSRUD-HENG, OLSON, HEMSTRA, ALBERT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/11/2017 at 16:25:15

February 13, 1920 ----- June 2, 2017

Robert "Bob" Lowell Smith, 97, of Waterloo, died peacefully at home Friday, June 2, 2017 in Waterloo, Iowa.

Robert was born February 13, 1920 in Clarion Iowa to Earl and Anna (Lehman) Smith. Bob’s father was a farmer in Clarion and his mother was a school teacher before becoming a homemaker. As a child, Bob loved spending time with his siblings, attending church with his family, working on the farm, and riding his spotted pony, Clarence.

In 1938 Robert graduated from Clarion High School as president of his class. After graduation he worked as a salesman for the Fuller Brush Company. Bob and Josephine “Jo” Luzetta Hoyt (1918-2006) eloped on November 11, 1939. It was his work with Fuller Brush that moved Bob and Jo from Clarion, Iowa to Waterloo, Iowa in 1942. Soon after the start of WWII, he left Fuller Brush and began making bomb casings for Chamberlains Manufacturing Company Bob then worked for World Insurance Company and then had his own insurance agency and tax preparation service. Bob was hired on the Illinois Central Railroad in Waterloo, Iowa in January of 1943 as a steam engine fireman. He retired as a diesel locomotive engineer in February of 1980. Bob was retired from the railroad longer than he worked! He excelled in every career, but often shared that the railroad had his heart.

Bob and Jo raised two daughters, Karen Sue (Hibben-Levi) and Janice Marie (Elefsrud-Heng, (1944 - 2007) in Waterloo, Iowa. Bob and Jo resided in Waterloo until 1983, summered in Lansing, Iowa, and wintered in Brownsville, Texas. Bob and Jo moved permanently to Brownsville in 1991 and later returned to Waterloo in May, 2006.

Bob’s interests and accomplishments include: playing cards and board games,, square dancing, fishing, playing pool (he was good at it too), golfing, drawing and photography, attending church, founding The Apostle church newsletter, authoring a book Back to Buck Lake for which he won an award in Minnesota, writing poetry, and giving money to charity.

Robert Lowell Smith is survived by his daughter, Karen (Hibben-Levi) of Waterloo, and youngest sister, Lavetta Olson of Omaha, NE; 8 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter; sisters-in-law Caroline Hemstra (Clayton), Margaret Smith (Don) and Helen Smith (Ray) along with cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. Robert is preceded in death by his wife (Josephine), daughter (Janice), grandson (Marc Hibben) and siblings Margaret (Cooper), William, Clayton, Evelyn (Welch), Donald, Raymond and Marion (Albert).

Bob was a gentle, giving man, who loved his family deeply. A few days before his passing he was asked if he wanted anything to eat. He replied, “No. I think Jo is making me a cake.” Enjoy your cake, Mr. Smith. Enjoy your cake!

At his request there will be no funeral services. A celebration of life memorial will be announced at a later time. Memorial donations may be sent to Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo, Iowa.

Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Home
http://www.hagartywaychoffgrarup.com/obituaries/Robert-L-Smith?obId=1909615#/obituaryInfo

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Robert L. Smith, 97, of Waterloo, died Friday, June 2, at home. He was born February 13, 1920 He was born February 13, 1920 in Clarion, son of Earl and Anna Lehman Smith. He married Josephine L. Hoyt on November 11, 1939. She preceded him in death. Bob was employed with the Illinois Central Railroad for 37 years, retiring as a locomotive Engineer in 1980. Survivors include a daughter, Karen Hibben-Levi of Waterloo; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and a sister, Laveeta Olson of Omaha, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janice Heng; a grandson, Marc Hibben; four brothers: Clayton, William, Donald and Raymond Smith; and three sisters: Margaret Smith Cooper, Marion Smith and Evelyn Smith Welch.

Services are planned for a later date with inurnment in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice.