Grandpa Bob

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For 23 years this "gentle" man Robert R.C. Smith was such a part of our lives. He and Grandma June lived across the street from us. My parents passed away when KayLee was around 4 , and her Bumpa lived in Alaska, so Grandma June and Grandpa Bob were the closest thing to grandparents my children ever had. Bob and June had 3 children of their own 12 grandchildren and many more greatgrandchildren. Yet their was room in their heart to love three more. There are not words to express what a precious gift this was and is.

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Grandpa Bob retired after 37 years with Michigan Bell. I remember when I was first married and we needed to make a long distance call we really couldn't afford, we made them down at their house. He fought in World War II as a radio man on the planes that flew to Tokyo., and was later recalled to serve during the Koran Conflict. Grandma June taught me to garden and how to cook, and Grandpa Bob was the Mr. Fix It of the Neighborhood. He had a workshop of tools that my husband enjoyed using with Bob. My children played with hand carved wooden cars, and Timmy and KayLee both enjoyed hand made rocking horses from Grandpa. Jamie learned t0 play pool from Grandpa and all the teenagers loved to hang out in their house on the river.

June and Bob traveled round the country in their RV and took trips on Giant Ships to places like Alaska, England , Austraila and more. Seeing their pictures was almost like being there with them. Grandpa Bob and I also shared a love of lawn mowing, and their was more than a few times he had to fix mine because I had tangled with a rock or two.

KayLee and Timmy would spend afternoons they were to sick to go to school on grandpa's lap in his blue chair. They learned to love the smell of his pipe he smoked occassionaly, and I now have those pictures to treasure . We said goodbye to this gentleman on Monday. The wake held on the lawn of his house in sight of his beloved river-over 125 making time during a 90 degree evening to come and share their stories of love and affection for this gentle soul. He now lies with Jesus so as he rests....we remeber. Until we meet again gentle soul...remember you made a differene in the lives of the DeBoer Family!

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Friend and Neighbors gathered