Robert D. (Bob) Smith

Robert D. Smith (Bob) went to be with our Lord and Savior on July 14, 2023.  He was born on September 12, 1940, to Eldon and Inez Smith of Lawrence KS. He is survived by his son Martin P. Smith (Martha Proctor, fiancé), grandsons Cody & Christian Smith, all from Lawrence.  Tom Demuth (nephew) and family from Edmond, Oklahoma and GayLynn McRay (niece) and family of Chickasha, Oklahoma.  And many more family members in California.

He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Smith (51 years); parents; Eldon and Inez Smith;in-laws Ivan and Lenore Shull; sister Nancy Demuth.

Bob was a motorcycle mechanic in Lawrence for over 40 years, some say he was the best this side of the Mississippi.  He worked for Miles Motorcycles, Lawrence Yamaha, New Horizons and finally to Bob’s Cycle Shop to start his own business next to Moon’s Radiator in North Lawrence. He retired from motorcycles.

After his retirement from motorcycles, he worked at KU Preventive Maintenance for 12 years and retired from KU.  His good friend Alan Pryor got him a job at Comanche Construction driving a truck that sand blasted bridges and retired.  Finally, he was a school bus driver for First Student.

Bob had a passion for helping others, riding motorcycles and building hot rods.  He restored a 1940 Ford Pickup, 1939 Cadillac limo and a 1939 Pontiac,  He loved going to motorcycle races and car shows with all his friends who he had a lot of.  He was a member of the River City Cruisers.  Bob was blessed with a talent to fix anything, they called him Mr. Fix it.  His passion for helping others made him who he was.

Bob was an avid sports fan, Royals, KC Chiefs and KU football and basketball.

The family would like to say thank you to Ascend Hospice and Arbor Court for the amazing care for Bob.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 24, 2023 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. The family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to River City Cruisers and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS 66044