Robert W. Smith

Robert Wayne Smith, 67, died in a car crash in Grants Pass, Oregon on September 26, 2015. A sculptor, writer and outdoorsman, Robert, known as Bob or Smitty, was a brilliant man who lived life with passion. Though his life was tragically cut short, Bob lived life more fully than most.

Bob spent his last years sculpting a collection of life-sized mermaids, writing a novel about war and a nonfiction book about the drug epidemic that wreaks havoc on so many lives. He devoted enormous energy to combatting the national and local drug epidemics, and his anti-drug work with communities and children had a lasting impact.

In his mid-twenties, Bob co-founded Venture, a wilderness therapy program for adjudicated and troubled teens. With a Master’s degree in Experiential Education, he was an early leader in the field of outdoor education. A skillful adventurer, Bob led countless caving, white water rafting and backpacking trips. It was love of the river that led him to Rogue River, Oregon.

In his thirties, Bob had a private therapy practice treating veterans who had difficulty in their post-war lives. Like so many of his patients, Bob suffered from PTSD and spoke openly about the trauma of war. He was the focus of a CNN documentary about the effects of war, and his short stories about Vietnam were published in literary journals.

Bob is survived by his daughter Kristin, sister Maggie and brother Jim. His beloved dog and companion, Margarite, survived the crash and lives with his daughter in California.

Bob is deeply missed and enormously loved. Though he is no longer living, the result of his decades of service is evident in those who he left behind.

A memorial will be held at Eagle Point National Cemetery on Friday, November 20 at 3:00pm.