Robert "Bob" Smith

Robert E. “Bob” Smith passed away Saturday, October 21, 2017. Born April 22, 1927, in Topeka, Kansas, the oldest son of Edward L. and Faye O. Fields Smith-Knight, Bob attended State Street School and Holliday Jr. High School. He graduated from Topeka High School, Washburn University, and the University of Kansas to complete his engineering degree. He served in the US Navy during WWII and was discharged with an Honorable Medical Discharge. Upon returning home Bob worked for the Santa Fe Railroad where he completed a coach-carpenter apprenticeship before entering Washburn University. While attending college Bob worked as an engineering draftsman for the Kansas Highway Commission on a part-time basis and upon graduation he became a civil engineer in the planning department. He later taught school for four years in the Topeka Public School system, teaching when Brown v Board of Education took place, before entering the insurance business with Mutual-United of Omaha. While with Mutual-United of Omaha, Bob won numerous sales awards, became an agency manager and in 1960 was named Manager of the Year. Bob and a partner developed and operated Westview Country Club at 21st and Auburn Road in the mid to late 1960s. Today this golf course is known as Western Hills Golf Course. Bob and his family then moved to Osage Beach, Missouri where he was involved in land development for the Lodge of the Four Seasons and Tan-Tara Resort and also did home construction and property management for 17 years. Upon returning to Topeka, Bob purchased a small property management company known as Key Associates Property Management and operated this company on a daily basis form 1990 until April 1, 2014 when he retired. Bob was married to Frances E. Mossman on February 14, 1949; she died in November of 1999. He and Betty Ann Sieben Griggs were married on May 27, 2006; she survives. Bob is also survived by two sons, William E. Smith (Debbie) of Liberty, MO, and Kirby D. Smith (Amy) of Columbia, MO. Other survivors include one sister, Billie Vaughn; a brother, Clarence Smith (Roberta); one half-sister, Rita Sovanski (Jim); three grandchildren, Jessica Smith of Atlanta, GA, Dennis Smith of Columbia, MO, and Kevin Smith (Hilarie) of Olathe, KS; five step-daughters, Karen Peterson of Leawood, KS, Sharon Ziegler of Wichita, KS, Marilyn Griggs-Kozloff, Charlene Mischke, and Michelle Heaton (Roger) of Topeka; one step-son, Larry Keith Griggs of Santa Barbara, CA; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. One sister and one brother preceded him in death. Memorial Service, with military honors, will be at 12 noon on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where visitation will be one hour prior to service. Inurnment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House or to Midland Care Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home.

Robert "Bob" Smith

April 22, 1927 - October 21, 2017