Robert 2X4 Smith
August 4, 1921 — April 19, 2016
Robert Allen Smith, a long time businessman and resident of Cut Bank passed away April 19th, 2016. Bob, “2x4” Smith was born August 4, 1921 in Seattle, Washington. He moved with his parents to Absarokee, Montana in the late 20s where he graduated high school in 1940. He joined the Navy in 1942, just after Pearl Harbor, and then was honorably discharged around Christmas of 1945. His time in the Navy was mainly in the South Pacific, and he spent the last two years on the USS Ludlow, a destroyer.
He came back to Montana after discharge and studied at Montana State College in Bozeman, obtaining a degree in Education. Upon graduation, he coached at Brady High School and then on to three years at Ekalaka where he coached football, basketball and baseball.
He continued his work at the Oil Field Lumber in Cut Bank and became president of the business.
Bob played many leadership roles including the Cut Bank Hospital Board, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Kappa Sigma fraternity, Shrine Club, Corvette Patrol, saddle club, Cut Bank Golf Club and served as the Elks club charitable corps chairman for 17 years, to name a few.
Raising and racing quarter horses was a great part of his life, especially in 1986 and 1987 when one of his geldings was a top running horse in Montana.
Bob was a devoted husband to his wife Frances for almost 63 years, his children Steve (Dr. Mary) Smith; Dr. Grant (Janet) Smith; Martha (Clarke) Walburger; and Laurie (Kirk) Wasson and eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He felt deeply for his family, many friends and community.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Ethel Smith, a brother Otto; sisters Marge and Marion.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in “2x4” Bob’s name to the Cut Bank First Presbyterian Church, Elks scholarship fund, the Tri County Shriners, or the Cut Bank Elks Lodge Charitable Corp., 118 East Main Street Cut Bank, MT 59427
Visitation is planned Friday, April 22, 2016 from 5pm to 7pm at Whitted Funeral Home in Cut Bank, Montana. Services will be held Saturday April 23, 2016 at 2pm at First Presbyterian Church Cut Bank, Montana; with a reception to follow at the Elks Club.