Robert Wayne "Bob" Smith, II

Robert “Bob” Wayne Smith II passed away on January 24, 2026, in hospice care in Casper, Wyoming. He was 71. Born on October 22, 1954, in Salina, Kansas, at what was then Smokey Hill Air Force Base, Bob grew up in a proud Air Force family as the son of Lt. Col. Robert Wayne Smith and Lorraine Leola (Bernier) Smith.

He graduated from Vanden High School in Fairfield, California in 1972. He was incredibly athletic, excelling in track, basketball, and golf. He earned scholarship offers in all 3 sports, as well an academic scholarship, however he turned them down to pursue an education at Denver Automotive and Diesel College. In 1975, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy and served with honor until his discharge in 1976.

Bob moved to Wyoming to work in the oil field in 1977, where he married Karen Burke, and together they welcomed a son, Robert Wayne Smith III. Karen’s passing in 1978 was a heartbreak that affected him for the rest of his life, a loss from which he was never fully able to return to what others might call “normal.”

In 1981, Bob married Dodie Schlotterbeck, and together they had 3 children: Ronni Williams of South Dakota, Geoff Smith of South Dakota, and Tomi Monear of Casper, Wyoming.

Bob is survived by his children and several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Karen, his parents, his older sister Carol Fitzhugh and his younger sister, Debbie Nasife.

Bob will be remembered for his easygoing nature, his fantastic sense of humor, his open mind and ever changing perspective, and his “strategy” aka (cheating) while playing cribbage. He was an excellent friend to any and all who were lucky enough to know him, always offering a listening ear, sage advice, and a spirited debate if that’s what you were looking for.

There will be a memorial service for Bob on Monday, February 9th at 1PM, at Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery in Evansville, Wyoming. Internment will follow with full military honors, and a reception will be held from 2-3 PM at the VFW on Bryan Stock Trail.

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