Robert "Bob" H. Smith

Robert H. “Bob” Smith, 83, died in the arms of his loving wife, Judee of 55 years shortly after midnight December 1, 2020, in Great Falls. Cremation has taken place at the O'Connor Funeral Home. No services are planned due to the Covid 19 crisis. Bob was born on September 17, 1937, in Great Falls, the first of four children born to Harold and Catherine (Baranko) Smith of Sand Coulee. In addition to daughter, Anna; son, Bobby; he is survived by sister, Marilyn Haskell of Portland, Oregon; and brothers, Marvin and wife, Myrna of Scottsdale, Arizona and Richard and wife, Eileen of Seal Beach, California; and several nieces, nephews, and family in-laws. The Smith family moved to Portland during World War II and moved back to Great Falls in 1952. It was there that Bob “Smitty” distinguished himself as a naturally gifted athlete. Excelling in football, basketball, and baseball, and later in life as a low handicap golfer. He was a member of the 1955 AA State Champion Great Falls High School football team. The team was undefeated with two games remaining. The first was against the powerful, Missoula Spartans in Memorial Stadium. Smith was pressed into action as the team punter and his many booming punts into the wind and falling snow kept the Spartans pinned in their own territory most of the game. The Bison won the game 7-0, setting up the final game a week later in Kalispell against legendary coach, Frank Little's Flathead Braves. It was a defensive battle, eventually won by the Bison 13-6 for the AA conference championship, setting the stage for the state championship game the following week in Great Falls against the Braves. It was another defensive battle with the Bison winning 14-7. Smith played end and linebacker. Smith went to the University of Montana playing for the Grizzlies before joining the U.S. Army in 1958. Following basic training, he served in San Francisco, New York and Greenland. On June 25, 1965, he married Judee Olds of Great Falls and Bob began a 32-year career as an Ophthalmic representative for American Optical and Walman Optical, traveling the intermountain west until 1997, when he retired due to complications with Multiple Sclerosis diagnosed 1981. The retirement allowed him to develop his already excellent golf game. A life-long Grizzly fan, he and a group would annually travel to Missoula for a Grizzly football game. Daughter, Anna is a special needs child who was so fortunate to grow up with the love and care and understanding of Bob and Judee. He had a special relationship with younger Bobby of Spokane, Washington, who was always there for his sister and loving parents. Molly, the family dog will miss her best friend. The family would like to thank Bob’s longtime neurologist, Dr. Dennis Dietrich. His care and compassion made Bob’s life with MS easier. We would also like to send a heartfelt thank you for the care he received during his final days to the 7th floor staff at Benefis Hospital, the Benefis Grandview staff, and Benefis Peace Hospice.