Robert D. “Smitty” Smith Jr., age 76, passed away on April 16, 2026, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital.
Bob was born on July 2, 1949, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Robert Sr. and Mary A. (Grostic) Smith. On March 22, 1975, he married Bonnie L. (Andrews), and together they shared 51 years of marriage. They raised their family in Saline before moving to the Chelsea area 22 years ago.
Bob built a career as a pipefitter with Facilities Management Services at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor. It was a position to which he was particularly well suited as he loved working with his hands and knew the value a job well done. Outside of work, he was a true U of M fan, hosting fall and New Years football parties with Bonnie for friends and family. In his last days in the hospital, he took a lot of happiness from the Michigan Basketball team winning a national championship.
A naturally gifted athlete, Bob excelled at everything from softball to shooting pool. But he especially appreciated outdoor activities like hunting, golfing, and archery. Nothing made him happier than sitting around a campfire on a summer night, Motown music in the air, spending time with his loved ones. A beloved grandfather, he was especially close with his granddaughters, Natalie and Emmy, driving them around the yard on his four-wheeler or paying them a quarter each for every white-tailed deer they spotted on the way to get ice cream. He also loved taking long nature hikes with his daughter while visiting her in Los Angeles.
Bob was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 557 in Dexter and the Ann Arbor Moose Lodge 1253, where he formed many lasting friendships, spending hours over sporting events and pitchers of Miller Lite, trading jokes and stories.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his children, Julie (Mike) Alber of California, and Scott (Jessica) Smith of Indiana; fourteen grandchildren; his sisters, Betty (David) Besford of Howell and Shirley (Michael) Lowery of Manchester; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Patricia Brough.
A Memorial Service will be held at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Eric Stricklin officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow at the Dexter American Legion.
In honor of Bob’s lifelong love for UofM, guests are encouraged to wear maize and blue.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
