Robert Wayne Smith (known as Smitty, RW, and Bob), 88, died of natural causes on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Oregon Living and Rehabilitation Center in Oregon, Illinois, where he had lived since the summer of 2023.

Bob was born on September 10, 1937, in a farmhouse in Brookville Township, outside Forreston, Illinois, to John Everett Smith and Helen Elizabeth Bergan.

He graduated from Forreston High School, Class of 1955, and attended University of Illinois. Over the years, Bob owned Smitty’s Oil Service and BL Distributors, a coin-operated amusements business, was a service manager at a GM dealership, and worked as a self-employed auto mechanic.

Bob had many interests and was deeply involved in his community. He enjoyed hunting small game, trap shooting, fishing, and spending time in nature. A Winchester rifle collector and aficionado, he participated in many gun shows in the 1960s and 1970s. He was also an avid bowler, played softball, and enjoyed photography.

Bob gave generously of his time and talents. He served as a volunteer firefighter and assistant fire chief, helped establish the Forreston Ambulance Service, and worked as a volunteer EMT. He was instrumental in organizing the Miss Flame fire prevention contest and served as its master of ceremonies. He had a knack for being in the right place at the right time—whether saving someone’s life with CPR or helping fix a car when someone was in need.

Robert is survived by his siblings, Ronald Smith and Beth Rucker; his daughters: Teresa Fechtel, her children Trevor (Firiel) Elliott and Frances Elliott (Paul Shpirt), and her grandchildren Graeme and Alistair Elliott and Logan Shpirt;Kristy Smith (Dave Scott), and her son Steven Constantine;Sandra (Jeff) Kuntzelman; and his former wife and mother of his children, Shirley Glover Smith.

Bob will be remembered for his generosity, quick thinking, and dedication to his community, as well as for being a good friend and father.

A visitation and memorial service will be held at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Family suggests memorials be sent to the Oregon Living and Rehabilitation Center.