Robert "Bob" W. Smith

Bob was born at home on July 5, 1940, in Fayette City, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Mildred (Urch) and Wylie E. Smith. He graduated from Brownsville High School and later attended California University of Pennsylvania.

Bob met the love of his life, Janet Lee (Newhouse) Smith, at church in Brownsville. Their first date was a hayride, and Sunday evenings were often spent going to church together, with Bob’s father, Wylie, piling all six kids—and Janet—into the car for the trip. On November 12, 1960, Bob and Janet were married, beginning a marriage that would span more than 65 years.

Bob worked as a banker for 10 years with Gallatin Bank, including five years as manager of the Waynesburg office. He later worked in the coal industry as a section foreman at Clyde Mine until a back injury in 1987 prevented him from continuing to work.

But a job title could never adequately describe Bob. He was a true jack-of-all-trades who seemed able to build, repair, or figure out just about anything. Whether a job required a needle and thread or a chainsaw, Bob could find a way to do it—and usually do it so well that you would never know there had been anything to fix in the first place. Long before the days of internet tutorials and step-by-step videos, Bob could study how something worked, work it out in his mind and get the job done. Among his proudest accomplishments was the barn on his farm, which he built himself.

Farming was woven throughout Bob’s life. He began working for a farmer when he was just 11 years old and continued to love farm life throughout the decades that followed. Over the years, his farm was home to sheep, horses, cattle, chickens, countless cats, and other animals. Bob had a particular tenderness for animals and was known to befriend even the stray cats and dogs that found their way to him. He leaves behind his beloved dog, Piper, and cats, Holly, and Jingles, as well as the memory of the many treasured animals that shared his life through the years, including Herbie, Dudley, Smitty, Mittens and Joey, just to name a few.

Bob was also endlessly curious. He loved geography and maps, genealogy, and family history, keeping up with the news, and learning about the world around him.

Those who knew Bob will also remember his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. He never met a stranger and had a way of using a practical joke or a funny remark to turn a new acquaintance into a friend. One of his favorite jokes came whenever someone asked, “Who’s calling?” Bob would answer, “Joe Sperdovich.” When the unsuspecting person inevitably asked him to spell it, Bob would laugh and correct them. It was quintessential Bob—a little mischief, a good laugh, and often a warm way of making a new friend or connection. His family will forever hear his familiar “Yup-uh-huh” and remember the laughter that so often followed him.

Above everything else, however, at the center of Bob’s life was his faith in Jesus Christ.

In 1968, Bob became a Christian, and his life was truly changed. He loved Jesus deeply. He could often be found reading his Bible for hours at a time, praying, or talking about his faith. He was a longtime member of the First Church of the Nazarene of Waynesburg and was involved with The Gideons International. His faith was the solid rock upon which he built his life, his marriage, and his family.

Of all the things Bob accomplished, nothing made him prouder than his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved his family dearly, and one of his greatest joys was knowing that his family served the Lord. To his grandchildren he was lovingly known as “Papap,” and when another generation came along, he became “Old Papap” to his great-grandchildren—a name that reflected the special place he held at the center of a growing family. He regarded passing his faith on to those generations as one of his greatest responsibilities and blessings.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of more than 65 years, Janet Lee (Newhouse) Smith; his three children, Derek (Linda) Smith, Robin (Dave) King and Jenny (Duane) Huffman; his grandchildren, Leah (Geoff) Harris, Luke (Paige) Smith, Linzy Smith, Katlyn Moore, Nathan (Emily) Huffman, Caleb (Abbie) Huffman and Rachel (Danny) Karpency; and his great-grandchildren, Holden and Hudson Harris, with baby Heath Harris expected in December; Blake, Baylee, Cohen and Isaiah Smith; and Bo Karpency.

He is also survived by his sister, Kathryn “Katy” Debord, and his sister-in-law, Joyce Smith.

In addition to his parents, Mildred and Wylie Smith, Bob was preceded in death by his siblings, Marie Pugh and her husband, Thomas; Marjorie Debord and her husband, Russell; Beth Hardy and her husband, Ed; and Nelson Smith; as well as his brother-in-law, Fred “Sonny” Debord.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the First Church of the Nazarene, 100 Deerfield Lane, Waynesburg, PA 15370; with funeral services at 1:00 p.m., with Rev. John T. Hayes and Rev. John M. Poling officiating; interment will follow in Fairall Cemetery.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Bob’s hospice workers and at-home caregivers, as well as the nurses and staff of Evergreen Assisted Living, for the kindness, compassion and care they provided throughout the final months of his life. The family is especially grateful to the staff at Evergreen for going above and beyond during Bob’s final two months there and for the dignity and love with which he was cared for.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Bob’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, or The Gideons International.

Bob leaves behind a family who loved him deeply, a farm bearing the work of his hands, countless stories that will continue to make those who knew him laugh, and generations who witnessed the faith that shaped his life. He loved Jesus, he loved his family, and he spent his life showing both.