Robert R. Smith, Sr.

Robert (“Bob”) R. Smith, 82, of Put-in-Bay, OH and formerly of Solon, OH, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, OH. He was born April 22, 1940 in University Heights, OH, the son of Hugh E. and Mary (Hildebrand) Smith. Bob graduated from The Ohio State University School of Dentistry and was a practicing dentist until retiring in 2006. He married Dianne Lang on June 26, 1965 and is survived by Dianne and their children Robert R. (Jenny) Smith, Jr. of Jamestown, OH; Betsy A. (Jack) Hellmann of New Canaan, CT; Michael E. (Tami) Smith of Plymouth, MI; and Patrick J. (Marion) Smith of Paris, France; and grandchildren Emily, Ben, Rebecca, Robert, Stuart, Claire, Alexa, Keira, Tristan, and Neil. Bob also is survived by his sister Molly (Tom) Sammon of University Heights. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Hugh, William, and James Smith.

On Put-in-Bay, Bob was a member of Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church; Skip Duggan Antique Car Club; Put-in-Bay Senior Center, Put-in-Bay Yacht Club and the Bobs Club, and was Treasurer of the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society. He served on the Put-in-Bay Township Zoning Commission and just stepped down as President of the Put-in-Bay Property Owners Association. In Solon, Bob was a member of the Solon Civil Services Commission and the Solon Architectural Review Board, and also managed many local political campaigns. He was an active member and officer of the Solon Jaycees. Together with Dianne, he was a President of the Chagrin Valley Ski Club. They hosted numerous exchange students from France and Colombia and visitors from all over the globe through the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday by Father Frank Kehris at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, Put-in-Bay. The family will hold a viewing and reception from 11:30 to 1:30 in the Cornerstone Room at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, with Mass to follow. In the spring, the family invites family and friends to join them in Put-in-Bay for a Celebration of Life, at which time Bob will be interred in Crown Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers now or in the spring, donations may be made to Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church or the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society.