Robert Eugene Smith

Robert (Bob) Eugene Smith, age 67, of McCook, NE passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2018 in his home. He was born November 24, 1951, in Loup City, NE to parents Harry J. and Margaret I. (Wilkinson) Smith. He was the older of two children. Bob spent the first three years of his life in Loup City, NE before the family moved to Page, AZ for a short period, eventually moving back to Ansley, NE where he graduated from Ansley High School in 1970. He went on to attend Mid Plains Vocational Technical College in North Platte where he graduated with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Drafting and Design in 1972. His first drafting job brought him to McCook where he worked for the Bureau of Reclamation. He later also worked for Charles Wright Engineering, Anderson Motors and Drake Oil before starting his own woodworking business in 1994 where he made childrens wooden puzzles and toys. Bob married the love of his life, Ernestine Cox, on August 21, 1976 in McCook, NE. They spent their married life in McCook, NE, becoming parents to one son, Adam Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents Harry J. and Margaret I. (Wilkinson) Smith; grandparents, Jesse and Mary (Grobe) Wilkinson; father in-law, Stanley Cox; mother-in-law, Rochelle (Girard) Cox; niece, Cassandra Cox and nephew Matthew Cox. Bob leaves behind to celebrate his life his wife of 42 years, Ernestine and his son Adam Smith of McCook. Surviving family members also include his brother, Richard Smith, Ansley, NE; brothers-in-law, Cloyd (Lea) Cox, McCook, NE and Kevin (Pamela) Cox of Omaha, NE along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and friends. Close friends who became extended family and close to his heart include Della Little and family of Fort Huachuca, AZ and Loriahn Bass and family of Colorado Springs, CO. Bob will be remembered most for his quick smile, big heart, love of family and nature. He never knew a stranger and loved to visit with anyone who would stop a minute to chat. Battling muscular dystrophy from his teen years on would eventually put him in a wheel chair but it didnt hamper his love for his family and life. He could often be seen wheeling over to the ball fields to watch softball or down the street just to say hi to someone. He was a loyal Husker football fan and enjoyed trips to Barnett Park to watch the geese/ducks and nature in general. He also enjoyed working with wood and gained great pleasure displaying his works at craft shows and seeing children smile when they played with the toys and puzzles he made. A celebration of life and inurnment will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the McCook Humane Society. Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is in charge of the arrangements. Friends may leave online condolences at www.herrmannfh.com