Robert Smith, Sr. was born in Denver Colorado in 1933 to Ed and Olive Smith, they moved to El Centro California shortly after with his younger brother Dennis. After high school at the height of the Korean War Robert enlisted in the United States Army. He arrived back home joining the El Centro Police Department as a Motorcycle Patrolman. A tight knit community, he continued to meet with alumni yearly through 2018. Robert had three sons David, Doug and Dwayne with his then wife Carol. They divorced in 1973 and he met Sandra Smith who he would always call his “Beautiful Bride” adopting her son who chose to change his name to Robert Jr out of respect for his new father. A key player in the Southern California Commercial Insurance market until he retired in 2004 and bought a home in Nixa Missouri. To stay active he became a greeter at the Nixa Wal-Mart and was a favorite of customers and employees alike due to his quick wit and easy going manner. Robert had great respect for the military and our country and he and Sandra loved to explore southwest Missouri in their beloved red Lexus. Although Robert battled Dementia for about 12 years, anyone who came in contact with him felt his warmth and sense of humor until the end. Sandra passed in 2022, Robert is survived by his son Robert Jr, and grandchildren Cassie, Kyle and Emily.

Graveside services for Robert will be at 1:00 pm Monday, April 1, 2024 at McConnell Cemetery in Nixa, MO. Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home East.