Robert Lee Smith

Heaven gained a warrior on May 12, 2021 when Robert Lee Smith, of Redding California and formerly of Goshen and Fort Wayne, passed away at the age of 63 after a tragic two-week battle with Covid-19.

Born in Goshen, Robert was an accomplished high school athlete in both baseball and football, scoring the winning touchdown in the last game of the 1976 senior class. Those who knew him while he was young say he was handsome, fun-loving and noble.
Robert was an automobile enthusiast, sports lover and master of corny Dad-jokes.

As a young adult, he had an encounter with God that set the course for the rest of his life. He was instrumental in leading his sister, brother and parents to faith. It was in the church he met his soon-to-be wife, Patricia Vandeventer, who he married in 1980. They relocated to Fort Wayne, where they raised their six children.

Robert won national recognition as the manager of the Southgate Plaza Radio Shack in Fort Wayne, when he led it to become one of the most profitable in the country. He impacted countless lives with his mentorship and made life-long friends. Robert relocated to Redding, California where he worked mostly in transportation, including working for Google to help develop "Street View" images for much of the northern part of the state. His last line of work was in medical transportation. Even as he neared retirement, he wanted to help people and saw it as his ministry.

Robert's greatest pride and joy were his children whom he loved fiercely. He said his love for his children was a reflection of how God feels toward us. Robert laid down his life to be the best father and grandfather he knew how - making his life decisions accordingly. Even as his children became adults, Robert made a lifetime commitment of ensuring his children and grandchildren always knew how deeply he loved them.

Few could ever hope to leave the kind of legacy Robert leaves behind. From his accomplishments to the lives he touched to his six remarkable children and three grandchildren to the battles he "fought in the spirit" and the prayers he saw come to pass, Robert leaves a mark on the earth. He will be deeply missed.

Robert was preceded in death by his brother, Paul; his father, Richard and his mother, Anna.

He is survived by his sister Rebecca, his six children, Rachel, Jana, Sharon, Brian, Ben and Jennifer and his three grandchildren, Jaxon, Finn and Axl.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a service at 3:00 p.m. and a meal to follow on June 5, 2021 at Living Faith Fellowship, 2601 Benham Avenue, Elkhart.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting with local arrangements.