Robert L. Smith

Robert “Smitty” L. Smith, Jr., age 63, of Hambden Township, passed away peacefully at his home on Dec. 10. 2024, after a short battle with cancer.

Born on Oct. 14, 1961, Smitty was the son of Robert L. Smith Sr. and Barbara Smith.

Survivors include his brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Teresa Smith. He also is survived by his close friends Deb Zampini and Dan (Boone) and Marie Switzler.

Smitty was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Barb Smith.

Smitty had many interests and hobbies. He loved hunting and fishing. Smitty also enjoyed ATVing with his brother and friends, mostly poker runs in Pennsylvania. He enjoyed the poker runs that benefited fire departments, children’s burn units, paramedic ambulance companies, etc.

For a while, Smitty was into growing Dipper Gourds and entered contests held in Chardon to be judged as to who grew the largest. He was a winner at least once and was crowned gourd king for a year.

Smitty had a very soft spot for ALL animals and enjoyed his ferrets immensely. He will be missed by his five surviving ferrets.

For a period of time Smitty enjoyed motorcycling, even his mom enjoyed riding with him. The two of them would take off and simply enjoy riding the back roads.

For many years Smitty had fun with small engine repair as a hobby. He would rebuild small engines such as rototillers, lawn mowers, string trimmers, lawn tractors, etc. He was good at it. At times he would buy a stack of parts at a flea market, take them home and get one or more running to sell for a small profit.

Speaking of flea markets, Smitty and his dad frequented them often looking for what he felt were treasures and for many, many years he was a loyal attendee at the annual Labor Day Monday Middlefield Auction.

Smitty picked up where his dad left off by landscaping around his home.

Besides flowers and shrubs, he decorated with unusual trinkets/statues and would slightly hide some items barely out of sight for you to “discover” as you looked around.

Smitty worked very hard at his job and worked an awful lot of overtime and was loyal to the company named STAMM Inc. for 43 years and missed very few days, even when not feeling well. He most recently retired from a company he devoted his life to.

In the moments where he would actually get some “free time,” he kept company with his close friend Deb. She seemed to keep a smile on his face.

He was known to collect various things such as guns, large knives, cross bows, rifles and shotguns. He also took the class and the tests to earn his Concealed Carry License (CCW).

Often, he could be found helping other people, mowing their yards, blowing snow out of their driveways and sidewalks, and simply talking to the neighbors.

In Smitty’s younger years, not long out of high school, he attended school to be a forest ranger. We thought we were going to lose him as he talked about moving out west to do ranger duties but something changed and he stayed home and did not become a ranger.

As a youth, he showed horses in the “Western” attire, rather than “English.” He did quite well and earned many ribbons/trophies and got an invitation to go and show at the Columbus State Fair. This was a big deal for the family.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice and his very dear friend, Marie Switzler, who became his caregiver during his past couple of weeks with us.

Private family services were held.

Burial was in Western Reserve Memorial Gardens, Chester Township.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.