Robert “Rod” Smith
Posted on July 5, 2016
Robert Douglas “Rod” Smith, 90, of Port Huron passed on peacefully at Blue Water Hospice Home on June 28, 2016.
Rod was born in Aberfeldy, Ontario on July 26, 1925 to Wilber and Sophia Smith and was a lifelong Port Huron resident. He graduated from Port Huron High School and St. Clair County Community College. He served in World War II, enlisting in the Air Force in 1943. Rod married Colleen I. White on August 13, 1949 in Saginaw, Michigan and they were blessed with three children.
“R.D.” was employed at Grand Trunk Western Railroad for over 30 years as a conductor. He served as General Chairman for the Railroad Conductors & Brakemen Union and for the United Transportation Union. He co-founded Marysville Marine Distributors in 1973 with friend Louis Foster and later became the sole owner. The company has expanded to four locations throughout the United States and represents hundreds of marine part manufacturers.
He was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Port Huron Elks Lodge #343, Black River Boat Club, Port Huron Golf Club, and a past president of Black River Country Club. Rod enjoyed a lifetime of fishing, many years of golfing, boating, gardening, and an ongoing game of gin rummy or cribbage with Colleen. His happiest times were spent with his loving family and many friends.
Rod is survived by the love of his life Colleen, his wife of 66 years; daughter, Linda (Bob) Kempf of Marysville; daughter, Janet Knust of Ft. Gratiot; granddaughter, Kelly (Brad) Knust Herms of Fenton; grandson, Kevin Knust of Chicago; sister, Jean King of Port Huron; sister-in-law, Marion Smith of Port Huron; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Doug Smith; grandson, Brian Kuehn; son-in-law, Mark Knust and brother, Charles “Willie” Smith.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at the Smith Family Funeral Home-North, 1525 Hancock St., Port Huron. Memorial services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 11:00 am, preceded by visitation at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Blue Water River Walk fishing pier.
