Gerrit Robert Smith

Gerrit Robert “Bob” Smith (90) passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024 near his home in South Jordan, Utah. Bob was born on May 29, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the son of Gerrit Smit(h) and Helena Swart. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in The Hague Netherlands Mission from 1954 – 1957. He married Joann Despain on April 2, 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple. He is survived by his three children, Leslie (Roland) Whatcott of St. George, Utah; Stephanie (Reeve) Southam of Bismarck, North Dakota; and Gerrit (Stacy) R. Smith, Jr. of Little Elm, Texas and his brother Theodore (Marie) of Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the proud grandfather of twelve grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joann, his parents, Gerrit and Helena, his sister Marjorie, and his brothers Joseph, Bill and Jerry. He received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Management from the University of Utah. He joined the Utah National Guard where he attained the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1977. He was known as the Lifesaver Man where every Sunday all the children of the ward would line up to get a lifesaver, a smile, and a hug from him. Singing brought much joy into his life where he sang in many choirs. Most notably, he was the president of the Mormon Choir of Washington for many years. He faithfully served in many callings in the church such as Executive Secretary, Seminary Teacher, Young Men's President, Counselor in the Bishopric, Bishop, High Councilor, and Patriarch. He was a faithful temple ordinance worker for many years in the Washington, DC temple and in the Oquirrh Mountain Utah temple. He brought happiness to many people with his big smile, quick wit, and caring nature. He is now freed from the pains and suffering of cancer. We know he is in a state of happiness with his loved ones in paradise where he and they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care and sorrow. Family Visitation will be this Friday, January 3rd, from 6-8 pm at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Drive in Salt Lake City. Another Family Visitation will be on Saturday, January 4th, at 10 am at the Garden Park 7th Ward building located at 4842 Vermillion Dr., South Jordan, Utah. Funeral services will follow at 11 am at the same location. The funeral will also be broadcast via zoom using the following link: https://zoom.us/j/98819009527

Interment will be at the Wasatch Lawn cemetery following the services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, as a memorial to him, to either the Humanitarian Aid fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or to the American Cancer Society.