Robert Smith

America lost a true hero on Friday, December 27, 2019. Robert Smith, 96, of Rhodes, Iowa passed away in the comfort of his own home. Funeral services for Robert will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at the Rhodes United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Karen Garrison officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the start of services. Graveside services will be held at Eden Cemetery in Rhodes where full military honors will be provided with the combined American Legion and VFW Honor Guard. Memorials in Robert’s name may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project. To send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com . Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Robert and his family. Robert Leroy Smith was born January 7, 1923 to proud parents Paul and Grace (Cowan) Smith. He was one of 12 children born to the family along with one adopted. He attended and graduated school from Maxwell High School. From there, Robert answered the call to his country and was drafted in the United States Army. He served in World War II where he received a purple heart medal for his service to his country. Robert was a jack of all trades and had obtained additional schooling through trade schools as a beautician and electrical work. He worked at the Maytag plant in Newton for a period of time but spent most of his working life at the USDA Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, working various jobs and even helping out the scientists there up until his retirement. He was a very intelligent man. Throughout his life Robert lived in the Rhodes, Maxwell, Collins area and even was a snow bird to Texas for a period of time. He eventually returned to call Rhodes his home once again. In his free time, Robert enjoyed tinkering with many objects, playing and listening to music including synthesized music, loved motorcycles, socializing with anybody who he ran into, being a member of his community including helping out his fellow townsfolk with their various projects and tilling of their gardens until age 95, and overall he was a kind and gentle soul. Left to remember and cherish his memory are his siblings Pauline Perin, Anna Tyler, Clyde (Carol) Smith, Lois (Kenny) Westercamp; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. In death Robert rejoins his parents Paul and Grace; and his siblings Mildred McIntosh, Earl Smith, Ethel Nady, Eldon Smith, Jim Smith, Everett Smith, Mary Lou Smith, and Dorothy Smith.