Robert Joseph Smith

HYRUM, UTAH: Robert Joseph Smith, 77, passed away March 2, 2009, from complications following surgery at Ogden Regional Hospital.
He was born October 25, 1931, to Nelton Irvin and Gladys May Chugg Smith. He attended South Cache High School in Hyrum where he played football and ran track. He served in the Korean War in the 25th Infantry in the Third Armored Division and was very proud of his service to his country. He married Marilyn Nielsen and together they had seven children. They were later divorced. He married Sheila Poppleton, adding her five children to his family and truly loved them all.
Dad was a member of the LOS Church and coached church basketball and softball. He loved sports of all kinds. He was a pitcher on a fast-pitch softball team from Hill Air Force Base. He also boxed in the Army. He was a member of USU's Big Blue Club and was an avid Aggie fan. Dad never missed a game except during times of illness. Bob also loved the Utah Jazz and was a dedicated watcher of CNN news. Over the course of his life Bob owned and operated a sawmill, a tree trimming business, worked at Hill Air Force Base, and owned Robert J. Smith & Sons Construction with his sons. Most recently, Bob was a member of the Hyrum Intelligence Committee, with whom he met with every morning at the Hyrum Short Stop for coffee.
Bob was an outdoorsman all his life who loved hunting and fishing. He always had deer meat (in or out of season) and could be counted on to share a good fishing story. Dad loved teaching his children and grandchildren how to fish and hunt. He loved planting a garden every spring. His favorite things to plant were Beef Steak Tomatoes, softball size Onions, and torpedo sized Zucchini. He always brought his vegetables around to his family and friends.
Bob is survived by his wife Sheila, and his children: Stephen Smith, Christine (Jim) Jensen, Tricia (Jason) Crook, Bruce (Jody) Smith, Terry (Wendy) Smith, Dennis (Dianna) Smith, Pam (Randy) Barber, Penny Mackey (Earl Shupe), Scott Poppleton, and Chris (Jacoba) Poppleton, as well as thirty-six grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, and mother-in-Iaws Fern Moser (Bountiful) and Mary A. Nielsen (Hyrum). He is also survived by siblings Ivaloo (Glenn) Hiibner, JoAnn (Deon) Kingsford, and Homer (Connie) Smith. His faithful dog and sidekick Koda and his two cats will also miss him very much, as will his many faithful and loving friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Ariel, Asell, Strat, and Jack; sisters Cleo and Rula; sons Teddy Smith and Mike Poppleton; and grandson Jason Crook II.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 1:00 pm in the Allen-Hall Mortuary. Friends may call at the mortuary Saturday from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm prior to services. Interment will follow with a military tribute at the Hyrum City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net