Robert Dale Smith

Bob was a devoted and loving husband to his wife, Arlene, and four children. Bob moved from Wyoming to Lincoln to attend the University of Nebraska, where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in Engineering. During college, Bob met the love of his life, Arlene, and they were married for 71 years. Shortly after getting married, Bob and Arlene moved to Gary, Indiana where he served in senior management at the US Steel Plant for 33 years. They later moved to Valparaiso, Indiana to raise their family. Bob took an early retirement from US Steel and worked as a private consultant to help steel mills throughout the country develop long-term operation and maintenance plans.

Bob had many hobbies during his lifetime. He was an avid golfer, bridge player, gardener and a savvy financial investor and planner. He loved doing home improvement and woodwork projects and was often called upon by his kids to come to the rescue for car and home repairs. Bob loved volunteering to help build theater sets for the Lincoln Community Playhouse. During their retirement years, Bob and Arlene loved to walk, which led to long healthy lives. They were devoted members of Volkswalkers – a national walking club that encouraged walking as a fun activity. This program allowed Arlene and Bob to walk five hundred trails covering every state in the country, including every state capitol. They also had many happy years living at their winter home in Naples, Florida. Most of all, he loved his family and was always quick to provide help and advice to his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed and will live on in our hearts.

Bob is survived by children, Ronald Smith, Karen (Bob) Everitt, Joyce Lerdahl Salisbury; daughter-in-law, Susan Smith; grandchildren, Jason (Jessica) Lerdahl, Luke Smith, Mitchell (Amairani) Lerdahl, Devon Smith, Katie (Dalton) Barnard and Griffin Everitt; great-grandchildren, Alayna and Elijah Lerdahl, Blair and Beckham Barnard; brother, Richard Smith and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arlene; son, R. Scott Smith; and former son-in-law, Eric Lerdahl.

A memorial celebration of life will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 8, 2024 at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St. Lincoln, NE 68512. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Memorials can be sent in memory of Bob Smith to Southlake Village Rehabilitation and Care Center at 9401 Andermatt Drive in Lincoln, Nebraska, 68526.