Robert "Bob" L Smith Jr.

Robert L. “Bob” Smith Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Marietta, Georgia, on June 25, 2026, at the age of 88.

Bob was born on December 7, 1937, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Robert L. Smith Sr. and Ranghild Peterson Smith. He later moved to Iowa, where he graduated from high school before earning his degree in Business from Iowa State University. It was there that he met Audrey "Joyce" Clarke—the love of his life and the woman who would walk beside him for the next 67 years of marriage.

Bob loved telling the story of how they met. Together they built a beautiful marriage rooted in faith, friendship, unwavering love and devotion to family. Through every season of life, Joyce was his greatest partner and source of joy.

Together they raised three children while Bob enjoyed a distinguished career with 3M in sales, marketing, and management. His work led the family from Minnesota to Texas, Louisiana, and eventually Georgia. Wherever life took them, Bob and Joyce had a remarkable gift for creating community, welcoming others into their lives , and turning neighbors into lifelong friends.

After retiring from 3M at the age of 60, Bob embraced a new chapter by pursuing one of his lifelong passions- photography. What began as a hobby grew into a wedding photography and videography business, allowing him to preserve life's most meaningful moments for countless families. Yet the photographs he treasured most were never taken professionally. They were the candid snapshots of birthdays, vacations, holidays, sporting events, and ordinary days spent with people he loved most.

To Bob, photographs were more than keepsakes—They were a way of preserving love, laughter, and memories that might otherwise fade with time. The thousands of images he captured have become one of the greatest gifts he leaves behind, allowing future generations to relive moments that might have otherwise been forgotten.

Bob possessed a rare gift for making people feel seen, valued, and genuinely loved. Whether you were his wife of 67 years, one of his children, a son- or daughter-in-law, a grandchild, a lifelong friend, or someone he had just met, you left his presence knowing you mattered. His grandchildren often joked that each of them was his favorite , and somehow each one believed it. Being "Papa" was one of the greatest joys and privileges of his life.

His love for people extended well beyond his family. Bob faithfully volunteered at the Atlanta Humane Society, where he and Joyce found another beloved family member in their rescue dog, Emma. Bob enjoyed golfing, traveling, spending time with dear friends, including those from Peachtree Presbyterian Church where he and Joyce formed lifetime friends in their Seekers Sunday School class. One ministry that remained especially close to his heart was "Bobby's Kids," where he found great joy serving children and families. Bob's kindness, generosity, humility and sincere interest in others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Above all, Bob’s greatest pride and deepest joy was his family. He never missed an opportunity to celebrate those he loved. Whether attending sporting events, school activities, family vacations, holiday gatherings, or simply sharing a meal together, he was fully present. He understood that the greatest investment a person could make was in the people they love.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Audrey “Joyce” Clarke Smith; his children, Debbie Freeman (Taylor), Robert L.“Rob” Smith III (Michele), and Stephen Clarke Smith (Debi); his eight cherished grandchildren, Jordan LeMahieu (DJ), Katherine Hocke (Mark), Hannah Wildermuth (Trent), Olivia Smith, Harrison Smith (Maddie), Anna Grace Smith, Abbey Hebert, and Sydney Smith; and seven adored great-grandchildren, Palmer, Hartman, and Elliott Hocke; Leighton and Piper LeMahieu; and Harper and Claire Wildermuth.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. Smith Sr. and Ranghild Peterson, his sister, Judy Snyder, and his beloved granddaughter, Abbey Hebert.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Arbor Terrace, Hearts of Love Caregivers, Heritage Hospice, Trinity Hospice, AG Rhodes, and the physicians and nurses at Kennestone Hospital whose exceptional care, kindness and compassion brought comfort to Bob and his family during his final journey.

Bob’s legacy is measured not simply by the photographs he took, but by the lives he touched. He leaves behind a family rooted in love, friendships that span decades and countless memories that will continue to bring laughter for generations to come. His gentle spirit, generous heart, steady faith, and enduring love will continue to live on every time his family gathers, every story is retold, and every treasured photograph is pulled from an album.

His life was a beautiful reminder that the moments we choose to preserve are the ones spent loving others well.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

"A Celebration of Bob’s Life" will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Mission Church Roswell Street,

774 Roswell Street NE, Marietta, Georgia 30060. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. ( Please wear colorful clothes!)

Friends and family are invited to a reception afterward at the home of Debbie and Taylor Freeman

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Those who wish to celebrate Bob's life through a Memorial gift are invited to make a donation to

Peachtree Presbyterian Church, a church that meant so much to him and Joyce

3434 Roswell Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30305

Service will be livestreamed, view through link below:

https://boxcast.tv/view/robert-smith-celebration-of-life-aqdifb5tzsollnywzvrj