Robert (Bob) Stephen Smykle, passed away on March 30, 2019, at home, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 82. He is survived by his husband of 39 years, Roy Gallegos, twin brother, Richard (Dick) Smykle, from Santa Clarita, CA and his loving sister, Shirley Crane, from Sioux City, Iowa, as well as numerous other family members from Iowa, Minnesota and Texas.
Bob and Dick were born to Alfred and Catherine Nagy Miller in Sioux City, Iowa on July 29, 1936. However, Catherine passed away shortly after giving birth, which necessitated placing the twins in an orphanage, due in part to the Great Depression. The boys remained at the orphanage until they were 4 1/2 years old. At which time they were adopted by Steve and Frieda Smykle, who moved the boys to their new home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Bob was always so appreciative that he had been granted a second chance of having a loving family.
After high school, Bob joined the Air Force, which allowed him to spend some time in French Morocco, during the late 1950’s, early 1960’s. That moment in time became one of the highlights of his youth.
Once Bob completed his stint in the Air Force, a friend invited him to a football game at the University of Kansas. Bob had never been to a major college football game before, and that one event transformed his life. He fell in love with the University of Kansas and decided, right then and there, that he would pursue his Bachelor’s Degree as a Jayhawk. He treasured his days as a member of Phi Kappa Theta, which led to life-long friends, whom he cherished, till the end.
After completing his Bachelor’s Degree program, Bob decided to join his brother in New York City for a couple of years, trying his hand in theatre, while working odd jobs. He then decided to return to Kansas to pursue his Master’s Degree. However, in the late 1960’s, before completing his degree program, a winter blizzard convinced him that he belonged in a warmer climate and he drove his Ford Mustang to Los Angeles, where he earned his Master’s Degree and where he lived for the rest of his life.
As a high school teacher for troubled-youth, he truly cared about his students and dedicated his life towards their betterment. He retired from the Los Angeles County Office of Education, (LACOE,) after a rewarding career. While employed at L. A. County, he was fortunate enough to make some life-long friends as well.
In 1977 Bob met his soulmate, Roy Gallegos, and they built a beautiful life together, with loving families and good friends.
On June 27th 2008, immediately after the California Supreme Court issued their decision, which allowed Gays to marry within the state, Bob and Roy were married in San Francisco’s City Hall, on the Mayor’s Balcony, during Gay Pride Weekend. And what a gloriously joyful weekend it was. Friends and family joined the happy couple in celebrating their marriage. An accomplishment, prior to which, neither one of them had ever dared to consider, not even as a remote possibility.
There’s an adage that Bob would abide by, that goes something like this:
“You can judge a person’s character, not by how he treats the most important person in a restaurant, but by how he treats the least important person.” This captures Bob’s essence as a loving, decent and respectful human being.
Dear Bob, know that you will be forever missed and loved by so many family members and friends, especially the muchacho from the barrio, whom you met in 1977.
Until we meet again, my love...
"Good night sweet Prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"
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