Robert "Smitty" Smith

Robert E. “Smitty” Smith, age 74, of Avon, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family after a brief but courageous battle with cancer, on Friday, August 6, 2021.

The Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 14 at the Church of St. Benedict in Avon with Rev. Edward Vebelun, OSB officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at St. Benedict’s Cemetery in Avon.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 13 and one hour before the service on Saturday at the church.

Robert Ervin Smith was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota on May 13, 1947 to Jerome and Marie (Bohmer) Smith.  Robert graduated from Technical High School in St. Cloud in 1966.  In 1971, Robert married Mary Rose Stalberger at the Church of St. Benedict. They welcomed three children into their lives and had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Robert worked at Lumber One in Avon for a few years and then drove Ready Mix truck for Blattner’s in Avon since April of 1974 until they sold to Granite City Ready Mix, where he continued to work until being acquired by Knife River Concrete. Before his health began to decline, he was still waking up before the sun came up and working out of the Richmond plant. He loved his job and cherished the many friendships made throughout 47 years.

Robert was hardworking, determined and could always figure out a solution to any problem, even though the solution was sometimes accompanied by a few “choice words”! He loved fishing, his annual deer hunting trip, playing cards and “shooting the breeze”. He was a simple man who didn’t dwell on the past but instead was always grateful for the present. He never asked for help with anything but was always first to lend a helping hand.

Robert is survived by wife Mary; children, Nicole Smith and Roberta (Michael) Ringstad; son-in-law, Erik Groth; six grandchildren, Cole, Haley, Carsten, Jenna, Elayna, and Alyse; many nieces and nephews; siblings, Margaret Budde, Joyce (Ron) Klein, Jerome Jr. (Gloria) Smith, Nick (Shirley) Smith, Jane (Vern) Schreifels, Rebecca (Charles) Arnold, and Mike Smith.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Kay Knoblach. He has also been reunited in heaven with his beloved daughter, Michelle.

Robert was loved by many and will be missed dearly. He will be remembered for his heart of gold, his eagerness to help others, and his dedication to his family and friends.