Robert G. Smith

Robert G. Smith, 82, longtime resident of Alexandria, Nebraska,  died March 11, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  He was born to Peter C. and Helen B. (Strelow) Smith on September 21, 1931 at home on the farmstead near Martell, Nebraska.

Robert served in the United States Navy during the Korean War.  He entered the US Navy December 3, 1951 and served until November 29, 1955.  His assignments included service on the USS Epping Forest in San Francisco and the USS Porterfield in San Diego.  He was chosen to be among the honorees on the 2014 Korean Veterans Honor Flight-Airlift, something he was looking forward to at the end of this month.

He married Betty K. Lee of Alexandria on October 9 1954 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria, Nebraska.  To this union, seven children were born, Judy, Robert (died at birth), Kevin, Nancy, Betty Jayne, Annette and Kerry.

Robert graduated from Milford Technical College in 1957 and worked as a hydraulics expert & diesel mechanic in southeast Nebraska.  In 1965, he settled in Alexandria, Nebraska and was the owner-operator of the Alexandria Tractor Service.  He was also a lifelong farmer, loved Johnny Cash and was described by one of his grandchildren as the Classic American Man. He was well known for his passion for Farmall Tractors.

He died peacefully at Saint Elizabeth’s Regional Medical Center with his wife Betty and other family members at his side.

He was preceded in death by his son Kevin, infant son, Robert and granddaughter Kellie Corliss, brothers Martin, Clarence and Bill and sister Helen Smith.

Robert is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Betty and children Judy Corliss (Mark) of Santa Barbara, CA., Nancy Virus (Roger) of Hebron, NE., Jayne Pohlmeier (Gene) of Lawrence, NE., Annette Barber (Terry) of Fairbury, NE.  and Kerry (Stephanie) Smith of Fairmont, NE., and grandchildren Jeff Corliss, Katie Corliss Moses (Philip), Stacie Corliss and Alex Corliss, Matt Virus (Kimber), Adam, Austin and Carson Virus, Bill Pohlmeier  (Lyndsey), Andrew and Chris Pohlmeier, Brittny Barber Stewart (Heath), Ridge and Kylee Barber, Ashley Smith Foutch (Clint), Whitney, Emma, Abbi and Robert Smith, and great-grandchildren, Elijah Moses, Olivia Virus,  Zoey and Jayden Virus, Katelyn and Emersyn Pohlmeier, and Addison Foutch.  Survivors also include brother Leo Smith of Uniontown, PA., and sister Mildred Kreuzberg of Lincoln, NE., and sister Esther Schiermeyer of Orion, IL., and nieces and nephews.

The family extends a special thank you to the Thayer County Hospital and staff and Alexandria Ambulance team, CCU and Stroke Unit at Saint Elizabeth Regional Health Center for their exceptional care.

Funeral Services will be Friday March 14, 2014 at 10:30 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria, Nebraska, with the Rosary Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home.

Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of the arrangements.