Robert Smyth

CORVALLIS - Robert E. Smyth, known to family and friends as Bob, made his way home to heaven early Tuesday morning. Bob was born April 20, 1925 to Emmett and Ruth Smyth. As a child he grew up in Corvallis, Montana living in the house behind his father's main street barber shop. Emmett and Ruth later moved the family to a small farm just outside Corvallis.

Bob graduated from Corvallis High School in 1943. After graduation he entered the US Navy Aviation program. After the Navy he started attending Montana State University until his father became ill requiring Bob to returned home and take over the family farm. He met and soon married Virginia Mabbott, May 24, 1949. After their marriage they settled 3 miles north of Corvallis where Bob built up his dairy farm and became one of the top dairymen in the state and was so recognized when he was named Montana Dairyman of the Year. Bob joined several other dairymen to form the Montana Dairymen's Association and together the men lobbied in Helena for improvements in the laws governing the milk business in the State of Montana.

In the mid sixties Bob and 5 other Bitterroot dairymen formed Western Dairy Lines to haul milk to Butte, and soon after purchased the Corvallis Garage, which was later sold to Cenex. Bob became the service station/store manger, once more spending many hours a day on the main street of Corvallis. As both manager of the station and farmer, Bob hired and influenced many of the local young men. After Cenex closed the Corvallis Station, Bob continued to work in Stevensville and Hamilton stores until he retired.

Bob attended Corvallis Community Church from childhood, serving many years as an elder and Board Chairman. He took mentoring the Pastors as a personal responsibility. He was also a member of the Corvallis American Legion and active in the local Gideon chapter. Bob served a number of years on the Ravalli County Planning Board.

Bob is survived by his wife Virginia of 59 years, son Robin (Janet) Smyth of Portland, OR, daughter Debbie (Dave) Kenny or Palmer, AK, daughter Connie (Eric) Gunnarson of Ellensburg, WA; 6 grandchild, their spouses 4 great grandchildren, 2 more on the way and 1 great-grandchild; and his sisters Louise Smyth Conner of Darby and Dorothy McLarren of Spokane, WA. He was preceded in death by his son Bernie and parents Emmett and Ruth Smyth.