Robert Smith

Robert Smith, age 81, of Gibbon, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Emerald Care Center Lakeview in Grand Island. Memorial services were held Tuesday, May 30, at Faith United Church in Gibbon with Pastor Jean-Marc Mutwale officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh. com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Robert E. Smith was born July 19, 1941, to Horace (Hod) and Evelyn (Torske) Smith in Gibbon, at his Granny Smith’s house. He was raised on the family homestead south of Gibbon. He attended District 3 Country School and graduated from Gibbon High School in 1959.

In August 1961 he married Patricia Bailey. To this union three sons were born, Jeffrey, Bradley, and David. They divorced in 1977.

On January 6, 1979, Rob married Teresa (Terri) Lange Carter. On March 15, 1983, he adopted Terri’s daughter, Amy.

To this marriage, they were blessed with another daughter, Molly.

Rob worked at the Gibbon Feed Mill, was a substitute mail carrier for the post office, was a dealer for Archer Oil for over 40 years, and a dealer for various seed companies. His love and passion was always farming. He farmed the Smith Homestead for over 60 years plus many other properties in the Gibbon area. Rob was also a leader for the Gibbon 4-H Livestock Club and chairman of the Gibbon-Shelton Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. His gift of gab was an asset for these achievements.

Rob loved the outdoors. He always had a large garden where he planted more than he ever needed and gave many vegetables away to family and friends. He loved hunting waterfowl on the Platte, deer hunting and enjoyed many elk hunting trips with friends. He loved telling stories to family and friends about his adventures.

He was proud of his family and treasured his children and grandchildren. He loved hearing about their careers and had great pride in all their accomplishments.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 44 years, Terri; his five children, Jeff, of Gibbon, Brad (Kelly), of Liberty Township, Ohio, David, of Kearney, Amy (Scott) Danielson, of Gibbon, and Molly, of Gibbon; his grandchildren, Grady, of Lincoln, Tyler (Billie), of Texas, Logan (Sydney), Blake and Jake, of Ohio, David Smith, Shyla (Kane) Dobish, of Gibbon, Leah (Jordan) Stall, of Franklin, Rachel (Auston) Tagtmeyer, of Hawaii, and Adriel Smith, of Gibbon; great-grandchildren, Baylor and Oliver, of Texas, and Hadley, of Gibbon; a sister, Florence (Flossie) Lienemann, of Gibbon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Evelyn Smith, and brother-inlaw, Darlo Lienemann.