Robert T. Smalling

Robert (Bob) T. Smalling, 76, of Marblehead, OH passed away on June 19, 2023 at his home.

Bob was born on March 30, 1947 to Ray and Helen Smalling in Ames, IA. After graduating from Ames High School, he went on to study engineering at Iowa State University. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Ohio and worked for almost 50 years in the building and construction industries before retiring in 2017.

Bob enjoyed his work but his life revolved around his family. He has been married for the last 27 years to his beloved wife, Mary Lavelle. He and his first wife had two daughters, Nancy and Susan, and he had two stepdaughters with Mary he adored and helped raise, Kendra and Meg. Bob loved having four girls and bragged about them to everyone—even unsuspecting strangers. It could be argued the only thing he loved more than his daughters were his four grandchildren; he may have set the grandparenting record for attending sporting events for all of them. However, you probably did not want to be a referee or umpire Bob felt had done one of said grandchildren wrong during a game, as his voice carried all too well under those circumstances.

Bob was an active community member and worked part time as a track official for almost 30 years. He loved getting to work with the kids in this role helping them relax before a race with one of his classic corny jokes. He often said in regard to getting to work with student athletes and other youth, “You know what is the matter with kids today….nothing!” Bob was an excellent woodworker having made several pieces of furniture over the years and even a baseball bat for his grandson. In his retirement, he volunteered at the Liberty Aviation Museum helping rebuild a WWII PT boat. He also enjoyed going to the symphony, a variety of sports and talking endlessly about his precious and perfect dog, Molly.

In general, Bob had an excellent sense of humor and was full of love and caring for his friends and family alike. He enjoyed both picking on those he loved and to get picked on by them—a trait his daughters were all too happy to oblige. Bob will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Bob was predeceased by his parents Raymond and Helen Smalling, sister-in-law Margaret Smalling, brother-in-law Martin Lavelle and sister-in-law Brigid Reasoner. He is survived by his wife Mary Lavelle and beloved dog, Molly; daughter Nancy Valentine (Terry) and grandsons Oscar and Joe; daughter Susan Smalling (David Ullman); daughter Kendra Murphy (Patrick), grandson Owen and grandaughter Maddie; daughter Meg Roko Willie (Scott); brother Jack Smalling (Margaret) and sister Nancy Pasley (Robert).

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday June 29, 2023 with a visitation from 3-5pm and a service at 5:30pm at Niedecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel, 7755 E. Harbor Rd., Marblehead, Ohio. A reception will follow.

The family asks in lieu of flowers donations be made to M Smalling Scholarship Fund set up in honor of Bob’s father and sister-in-law, https://onrealm.org/fumcames/-/form/give/now, the Baseball team at Wright State University where his grandson Joey pitches, https://was.wright.edu/onlinegiving/makeagift?frequency=&amount=, or to a charity of your choosing.