Osmer W (Bob) Smith – Malta, Idaho

Born: 112 May 1929

Died: 25 Oct 2010

At the age of: 81

Plot Number:

Children: Cregg, Michelle, Robert

Parents: Samuel N Smith, Vernice Rose Osterhout Smith

Obituary:

MALTA – Osmer W. “Bob” Smith, age 81, of Malta, passed away Monday, Oct. 25, 2010, at the Southwest Idaho Advanced Care Hospital in Boise.

He was born on Mother’s Day, May 12, 1929, in Malta, Idaho, to Samuel N. and Vernice Rose (Osterhout) Smith. He was nicknamed “Bob” by his sister, Rose, and the name stuck. Bob received and completed his education in Malta. While in school, Bob excelled in football, basketball and track. He married Beverly LuDean Udy on Feb. 14, 1948. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple.

Bob and Beverly lived in various places in the Western United States, where Bob was a lineman and worked building power lines for CL Electric up Morgan Canyon, working in Bear Lake, Durkey and Pendleton, Ore. Upon returning to Malta in the early ’50s, he began working for the REA. Later, Bob was employed for the State of Idaho Department of Transportation, retiring in July of 1994. He then joined hands with his son, Cregg, and grandson, Brandon, in establishing Smith Furs, a local mink farm. He was proud of this operation and, until his recent illness, spent time each day at the farm.

Bob was active in the community. He was on the committee that drew up the ordinances for the city of Malta and was a member of the city council for 18 years. During this time, he was acting mayor of Malta. He assisted in organizing the fire district and was the first fire chief. Also, he was part of the citizens that formed the Malta Ambulance District. Also, he was instrumental in starting the fireworks that were a part of the annual patriotic Fourth of July program.

He was an active member of the LDS Church. He had served as a Young Men’s president, High Priest group leader, a counselor in the Sunday school and was a member of the stake high council of the Declo Idaho Stake. Bob’s family was so important to him. He loved the time spent together and had a firm and strong testimony that through his and Beverly’s temple marriage, their family will always be together.

Bob is survived by his children, Cregg (Carma) Smith of Malta and Michelle (Dennis) Harper of Hailey; a daughter-in-law, Annette Smith of Salt Lake City, Utah; two sisters, Beth Gunnel of Preston and Nel Dradge of Carey; 11 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one son, Robert Brad Smith; a great-grandson, Connor James; and his siblings, Jake Smith, Rose Galiher, Emma Smith, Samuel N. “SN” Smith, JoAnn Hill and Helen Bortz.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at the Malta LDS Church, with Bishop Brad Hutchison officiating. Burial will be in the Valley Vu Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St. in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.

Funeral Program: