Robert “Bob” Edward Smith, 91 of Peru. Passed away peacefully on July 31, 2024, in his home.
Visitation will be 10AM-12 PM on Friday, August 9th, 2024, in the Ptak Funeral Home, Peru, IL., with service to follow, with Pastor Terry Broady officiating. The burial will be at 3PM Friday, August 9th, 2024, at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa, IL. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Robert was born December 27, 1932, in Chicago, IL to Edward and Cecelia (Eberle) Smith. Due to the early deaths of his parents, he was raised as the youngest with his eight aunts and uncles, by his grandmother, Anna Folz, during the later end of the Great Depression.
He graduated from St. Leo High School (Chicago) in 1950. Robert joined the Boy Scouts in 1943 and was active till 1952, reaching Eagle Scout rank. The same year, while in college, he enlisted in the Air Force, becoming a meteorologist, during the Korean War. While stationed in Germany, he fell in love with the architecture and the lifestyle of the countryside.
Robert married Joyce Vennetti in 1954 and had three children, Robert Jr. (Mary Ann), James (Melissa), and Susan Smith. They later divorced. He remarried Elizabeth “Betsee” Brooke in 1996, who also has three adult children, Ross (Kim) Brooke, Ryan Brooke, and Bethany (Ryan) Ashley.
He was a successful and accomplished businessman for many years, founding a printing business (Unipak) in 1968, a sales/marketing firm (RES Inc.) in 1971 and an electro surgical medical firm, creating a patent, in 1976. He retired in 2002 at 70 years old.
In 1993 Robert moved to Lake Thunderbird, where he designed and built his home as a skilled carpenter, taking inspiration from Germany’s many country chateaus. He took an active role in the Lake Association, serving six years on the board of directors, with three of those years as President. He will be remembered for his successful fighting of property taxation, resulting in fairness for property owners.
Throughout his life he kept his love of the outdoors and deep love for reading with him. In his earlier years, he was an avid fishman, even having large fish fries where he would fry all the fish, he caught for attendees to enjoy! He also enjoyed camping and landscaping. In his later years, Robert and Betsee enjoyed collecting antiques, attending frequent auctions, traveling, and enjoying their families while celebrating their golden years at Lake Thunderbird.
Robert was proceeded in death by his son James Smith, parents, grandmothers’ Anna Folz and Martha Bywater, uncles Gerald (Buddy) Eberle, Verne (Beaner) Eberle, Donald Folz, and aunts Constance (Connie) Covyeau, Vivian (DeDe) DeJoy, Iris Folz, Phyllis Folz, and Eileen Schwartzer.
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, three stepchildren, 8 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Robert Smith Jr., Ryan Brooke, Ross Brooke, Ryan Ashley Keith Jarosz, Matt Doljanin, and Bob Bittner.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Shiner’s Children Hospital Chicago and the local Scouts Museum in Ottawa.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at PtakFH.com
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Robert was laid to rest in the Garden of Devotion at Oakwood Memorial Park.