Bob Smith

Robert Edwin “Bob” Smith

Bob passed away after never fully recovering from breaking his hip in March.

Bob was born in Corvallis and was a third generation Oregon Pioneer. He is the first of seven children born to Earl E. and Francel Q. (Stanton) Smith. His mother’s family, the Stantons, came over the Oregon Trail in the 1800s.

Bob’s love of the outdoors began in his early years in Yachats where his dad owned and operated a pool hall/tavern and lodging. The Smiths moved to Jacksonville when Bob was 13. A year later they moved to Grants Pass where they owned and operated the Rogue Motor Court a block south of the Caveman Bridge.

Bob graduated from GPHS in 1940. That’s where he met and later married, Jonnie Dellinger. They had two daughters.

He was an M.P. in the U.S. Army and spent time in Panama. After serving in the Army, Bob returned to Grants Pass and worked with his father-in-law in his gladiola bulb business. He was also a beekeeper and later ran the planer at the Grants Pass Box Company. While working at the Box Company he met Eldon Spalding who later hired him to run the planer at the Spalding & Son mill where he became the foreman.

After retiring from the mill, Bob ran raft trips for the YMCA and downriver fishing trips with Mel Norrick.

Bob and his wife, Jean Probst, built a home and moved to Galice in 1974 where they operated “Smith Shuttle Service”. Bob spent many enjoyable years boating and fishing the Rogue, mining for gold on Rocky Creek and traveling with Jean in their motor home. In his later years he could be seen most days sitting in front of his home watching the traffic go by and feeding the deer. Bob was a wonderful storyteller with 95 years of stories to tell.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Judy White of Murrieta, CA and Christy Grant (Jim) of Grants Pass; stepsons Mark, Greg, and Steven Warf (Joan); sister Ann; brothers Earle and Dan; a grandson; three great-grand children; and numerous good friends and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, parents, and sisters Marion, Gertrude, and Mildred.

According to his wishes, a Celebration of Life potluck will be held at the Galice Community Hall, 10821 Galice Road in Galice on Sat. Sept. 30 at 1:00 p.m. Bring your favorite dish to share. Plates and utensils provided.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Galice Community Association, 10821-A, Galice Rd, Merlin, OR 97532