Robert "Bob" Stanley Smith

Robert Stanley Smith (Bob) went home to the Lord on November 8, 2022, on his birthday, at the age of 80. He was born November 8, 1942, in Battle Creek, MI, to Frederick Almanzo and Adah Ailene (Mastin) Smith. In his youth, Bob worked on the family farm/resort on Union Lake in the summers and went to Battle Creek schools, graduating BCCHS in 1961. During high school, he worked at Grand Leader Department Store, in the shoe department.  Bob was honorably discharged from the USAF. Bob went to work for Post Cereals, then a division of General Foods. He worked hourly the first ten years, and while doing so, gained an associate Degree in Business Management from KCC. Bob later took classes from MSU. After that, he changed over to the salaried work force, working in several areas: Building Administrative Assistant, Building Supervisor, Industrial Engineer and Logistics. The last 13 years, he worked in Purchasing with his area being responsible for ordering in the raw and packaging materials used in cereal production. He retired after 35 years of service.

Bob enjoyed golfing, getting a hole-in-one at the age of 73. He also enjoyed bowling, fishing, and woodworking. He went white water rafting and parachuting several times.

Bob married the love of his life, Eleanor Mae (Jacoby) on October 2, 1965. Together, they had three children: twin sons, Troy Aredin and Todd Austin, and daughter Lachelle (Shelley) Denise Smith.

Bob and Eleanor took several motorcycle trips on their Gold Wing: Gettysburg, PA and then down to Gatlinburg, TN with friends. They traveled around the northern side of Lake Superior and Wisconsin to home. The longest trip was out to Arches National Park, in Utah, then up to Yellowstone National Park, then home. They pulled a trailer and camped on these trips.

Bob and Eleanor loved to travel. They visited England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. They got to see the queen, as it was the opening day of Parliament. They visited Stonehenge, and in Ireland, Bob kissed the Blarney Stone! They traveled to Italy, visiting Pompeii and many other famous places. They also traveled to Israel and Egypt, visiting cities in the Bible, cruised the Sea of Galilee, and Bob was re-baptized in the Jordan River. They visited the Pyramids, Masada, and thew Dead Sea. Bob went swimming in the Red Sea and looked down to see a Lionfish swimming about four inches from his leg. He stood still until it swam off. Bob and his wife also took a month-long trip touring Tasmania, Australia and New Zealand. Seeing a Tasmanian Devil and a Platypus were on his bucket list. They visited Sydney and went to Bondo Beach, visited the Sydney Opera house and of course, Bob sang there! Visiting Alice Springs and learned how to throw a boomerang. They walked around Ayers Rock (Uluru) and ate camel (Tough and Stringy) and Kangaroo, which was delicious. They saw large fruit bats (18”) and flocks of wild parakeets. Next was their month-long trip to China and Tibet. They started in Shanghai, where they discovered that babies do not wear diapers. They learn to signal their parents when they need to go, then usually find a storm drain. They took a tour up the Yangtze River to see the Three Gorges Dam Project and the land and villages that would be underwater. They went to Xian to see the Tera Cotta Warriors, Beijing, for the Imperial Palace and Tiananmen Square, where people were squatting all over the place. How do they do that? Then it was off to Lhasa, Tibet, to see the Potala Palace, home of the Dahli Lama. Ate Yak burger and it was like beef. Hong Kong next, which is quite tropical. Victoria Harbor, where all the buildings are beautiful. Many Chinese speak English, usually taught to them in 7th and 8th grades. The Final trip was a month spent in Paru and Ecuador. They started in the Amazon Rain Forest, where Bob Fished for and caught piranha and ate them for supper. There was electricity, but only in the hut where meals were served. If you fed the wildlife, they would follow you to your sleeping hut, which were not completely enclosed. Parrots flew in. Bob took the tree canopy walk through the upper branches, supported by cables. Off to see the Ancient Inca Ruins, like pyramids, then visited Machu Picchu. They visited the “equator” and found it moves with the earth’s rotation. Last stop was the Galapagos Islands where we saw “lonesome George” the last of his type of huge turtles. They also saw Penguins, sea Iguana, and lots of Blue Footed Boobies. They went snorkeling and the beautiful fish were not afraid of them at all.

Bob is survived by his wife, Eleanor, sons Troy (Michelle) Smith of Lowell, MI and Todd (Jessica) Smith of Athens, MI, and daughter Shelley Smith of Battle Creek, MI, eleven grandchildren, brother Gary (Joyce) Smith of Haslett, MI and sister-in-law, Virginia Smith of Catawissa, MO, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Roger Smith of Catawissa, MO, and one nephew.

Bob would like to say “Thank you” for being a part of my life and may God bless you all.

Visitation for Bob will take place on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 3:00 – 7:00 pm at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015.

Funeral services will take place at 11:00 am Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the funeral home with Pastor John Grafton officiating. Entombment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In Lieu of flowers, Bob would appreciate donations be made to Fisher House Foundation (PO Box 791598 Baltimore, MD 21279) or Gary Sinise Foundation (PO Box 40726 Nashville, TN 37204) to help veterans.

Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.