Robert V. Smith, 95

Robert Verlin “Bob” Smith, 95, passed away July 15, 2024 at his home at South Grove Lodge in Austin. He is survived by his wife Debbie, daughter Becky, son Eric, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

He was born November 12, 1928 in Algona, Iowa to Claude Verlin Smith and Beulah Finch Smith. He had one brother, Donald E. Smith of Austin, Minnesota and one sister, Delores Solyst of Deerwood, Maryland all preceding him in death.

Graduating from Austin High School in May 1946 and Austin Junior College in May 1948 with an Associate of Arts degree, he then entered active military service starting October 1950. Beginning at the Naval Hospital Corps School in Great Lakes, Illinois training as Hospital Corpsman/Medical Field Technician, he then went on to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington, D.C. training in the Cardiology section.

From there he was accepted into the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California for their training before being shipped out for service in Korea as a Medic. He was honorably discharged in July 1954.

August 21, 1954 he married DeVonne E. “Debbie” Blowers. They had two children, Rebecca “Becky” Smith of Durham, North Carolina and Eric Smith of Austin, MN.

After his military service Bob had begun working full time at the J.C. Hormel plant and remained there until his retirement. Most of those years were spent as a meat cutter in the hog kill department. After retirement he enjoyed working part time as a greeter at the Austin K-Mart.

Despite working long hours, Bob was always very active at home and with his family. He enjoyed yard work, did various renovation projects around the house, enjoyed many family vacations and activities with the extended family. During the summers lots of time was spent at the family cabin on Beaver Lake. He learned to water ski and liked to fish. He spent several years training in Tae Kwon Do at the Park Institute in Rochester, Minnesota, eventually earning a first degree black belt. He also spent time participating in a Habitat For Humanity project in Austin.

Bob had a great sense of humor and was always very approachable, kind and accepting of others. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 27 at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with Pastor Vickie Spyhalski officiating. The visitation will be one hour before the service. Austin Post #91, American Legion and Olaf B. Damm Post #1216, VFW will provide military honors. Private interment will be at a later date.