Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Smith, Robert O. April 25, 2013
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Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com September 1, 2014, 1:19 pm

Ionia Sentinel-Standard - Wed. May 1, 2013

Dr. Robert O. Smith, 89, a long time Ionia resident, died April 25, 2013, in 
Tucson, Ariz., after a short battle with aggressive lymphoma. He is survived by 
his wife Jean, four children, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Born May 12, 1923 to Guy W. Smith and Nellie (Davidson) Smith, he spent his 
youth in Detroit. He attended Thomas Cooley High School and Wayne State 
University. When World War ll came, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, who offered 
to send him to medical school.

During his medical training, he met our mom, Jean F. (Kinley) Smith. They were 
married Sept. 25. 1948. After completion of his surgical training, he 
transferred from the Army to the U.S. Air Force, serving as a flight surgeon at 
Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

At the end of his military commitment in 1953, he elected to move to the small 
town of Ionia, Mich. There, the young doctor hung out his shingle and 
compassionately practiced medicine for 37 years. Dad was a member and elder of 
the First Presbyterian Church, including many years in his church choir. He was 
a member of the Lion’s Club, served on the Ionia School Board for 20 years, and 
was team physician for the Ionia Bull Dogs Football team for 37 years! Dad 
seldom missed a game.

An old school, country doctor, it was not uncommon for him , after receiving a 
phone call, to immediately get up from the dinner table and rush to the 
hospital to provide care of the sick or injured. We always admired his 
dedication to his profession and community.

In retirement, he and Mom moved to Florida and later to Tucson, Ariz., to be 
closer to family. A very active senior citizen, Dad enjoyed skiing into his 
70’s, golf and tennis into his late 80’s. He and mom traveled extensively. They 
visited many countries. He understood and appreciated that we live in a great 
big beautiful world.

Dad accomplished much, and he inspired others to accomplish more. For him, 
every day was a good day, a blessing from God, to be experienced with a sense 
of wonder and humility.

He and mom raised three daughters, Jane (David) MacPherson, Wendy (Alan) 
Lawson, Tamara (Andy) Byerly, and one son, Tim Smith. His grandchildren; Andy 
and Joe MacPherson and Rob and Mary Jean Lawson. And great grandchildren: Carli 
Crofts and Emma MacPherson (Andy and Kate MacPherson) and Noam MacPherson-
Reichel (Joe MacPherson and Nilu Reichel)

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the “Youth in Government” club 
at Corona del Sol High School, Tempe, Ariz., where his son, Tim, has actively 
promoted the understanding of the U.S. constitution by his students, and has 
led his team of students to national competitions.

Info for donations: Corona del Sol High School, 1001 East Knox Road, Tempe, AZ 
85284, attention Youth in Government Club.

Donations can also be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 
http://www.lls.org/waystohelp/donate/donateonline/.

Condolences can be left at www.vistosofuneralhome.com.


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