Robert Henry Smith, Jr.

Sept. 12, 1941 - May 30, 2018 Robert Henry Smith Jr. of Lincoln City, Oregon, passed away on May 30, 2018. Better known as Bob (or Burly and or Bobby by many in the family). Bob was born Sept. 12, 1941 in Portland Oregon to his parents of Mary Frances (Murphy) Smith and Robert Henry Smith. Bob moved to, then, Cutler City in 1954. Bob graduated from Taft High School, class of 60. Bob then attended Boise Junior College and Oregon State University. He was drafted in 1966 and served in the Army, stationed in Korea. After his discharge in 1968 he then completed his education, graduating from Boise State University and pursued a carrier in teaching! His real love was commercial fishing and teaching became a fall back profession. Bob worked on King Crab boats in Alaska. I love to tell the story of him likely being the only person you would ever know that fell overboard, in the dark, no survival suit and survived! It did not detour him from eventually becoming a full time commercial fisherman. "Burly" loved his time on the sea and was at his best when he was 100 miles out on a clear night, by himself, and pursuing the elusive "Tuna" or "Wild Salmon". He would come back sometimes with a catch and sometimes with just stories of the sea. Bob fished out of Depoe Bay and Newport for over 40 years and finished as the oldest one on the docks in Newport. He eventually fished the "love" in his life, the "Norma Jean" a 79-year-old wooden trawler. Like Bob, it is a vanishing life, and like Bob when it is gone we will all have lost something special. To those that knew this "Crusty old Fisherman" he was a treasure. He was surrounded by four of his siblings who cared for him the last days of his life, in his home. We thank Hospice for helping to make this possible. Bob is survived by brothers, Bill Smith of Bend Oregon, Clyde Smith of West Vancouver British Columbia, Gary Smith of Eugene Oregon, Jim Smith of Sun River Oregon, Robert Smith III of Portland Oregon and Sister Darlene Newton of Jackson Mississippi. Bob was never married and became the favorite and much-loved cousin, uncle and great uncle, and BFF to Megan Pruitt and Dan Goodell. He was the family patriarch and we have lost that "O call uncle Burly, he will know. Love you brother Bob. A celebration of Life will be held August 18, 2018 at the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club, Newport, Oregon, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., overlooking the "Norma Jean". A special thanks to the Lincoln City Hospice that are amazing people. If anyone wants to do something special for "Brother Bob"? Buy local wild salmon only and stop the destruction of their spawning grounds!

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Robert Henry Smith, Jr.

September 12, 1941 - May 30, 2018