Bruce Robert Smith

Bruce Robert Smith was born 18 October, 1942, in Hibbing, St. Louis County, Minnesota to Betty Jean (Sullivan) and Robert Eric Smith. He resided in Hibbing, and was graduated from Hibbing High School in 1960. The family moved to Virginia, Minnesota where Bruce attended Virginia Junior College.

In August 17, 1963, he married Helen LaVerne Jytyla and they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where he continued his education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics. He continued his education and received his Master's Degree in Business Administration in 1969.

After receiving his Bachelor's degree, he worked in aviation as the Manager of Special Projects for the Hughes Corporation at Hughes McCarran for several years. He then began a career in retail.

When he left Hughes, he opened his first retail shop, Treasure Cove, in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. This was followed by Kids Inc. in the Riviera Hotel, Graphic Shirts, in the Meadows Mall, Sports Logo and Pacific Wave in the Boulevard Mall, Alexis Park Gifts in the Alexis Park Resort Hotel, Sports Logo in Caesars Forum Shops, Sportacular in the Stratosphere Tower Shops and Alan Stephens in the Dunes Hotel.

He retired in early 200 to enjoy his summer home in northern Minnesota. He is survived by his wife Helen, daughter Kristianne, who was born August 22, 1971, and two sisters, Pamela Brandt, and Sandra Samson in Hibbing, MN, and two nephews, Jordan and Ryan Brandt. His brother Mark preceded him in death in 2022.

A funeral service for Bruce will be held Friday, August 29, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Palm Mortuary - Henderson, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015 with graveside service from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015 with reception to follow.