Robert Steven “Steve” Smith

Funeral services with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical and United States Air Force Honors for Robert Steven “Steve” Smith, 50, Lecompton, will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Mustard Seed Church, with Department Chaplain Rev. Paul Taylor and Chaplains Rev. Tim Moulett and Capt. Ben Hayden officiating. Cremation is planned following the services.

Mr. Smith died Monday, Mar. 21, 2011, at his home.

He was born Sept. 21, 1960, in Plattsburg, N.Y., the son of Robert Elmer and Anna Lois Hughes Smith. He graduated from high school in Sumpter, S.C. He joined the United States Air Force in 1981 and later joined the United States Army, before returning to the Air Force. He served during Operations Desert Storm, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. He had attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, and was scheduled to be promoted to Chief Master Sergeant.

He was employed by the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical as an engineer/EMT-I, with 20 years of service. He enjoyed firearms and his quarter horse.

Survivors include two sons, Joshua Smith, Ottawa, and Chance Smith, Topeka; his parents, Osage City; a brother, Gary Smith, Berryton; a sister, Lara Tauck, Ekalaka, Mont.; five grandchildren, and six nieces and nephews.

Friend may call from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Mustard Seed Church, with honors provided by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical.

The family suggests memorial contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project, in care of the funeral home, 601 Ind., Lawrence, KS, 66044

Messages & Condolences

From MSgt Ken Bachman...

My prayers and thoughts are out to all who knew this great man. He was someone who touched many lives with his vibrant personality. It was a pleasure to know him and to be deployed with him. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and his unit at Whiteman AFB. He was a great leader who will be surely missed.

May the lord comfort his family and everyone who knew him.

Ken Bachman

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From Tammy Eddings...

Few people really have that certain something, Chief Smith had it. You meet him one time and you recognize this quality, hard to put into words. It was an exuberance for life and people and duty. He was awesome.

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From Daniel Kunstman...

Chief,

You were the first person to talk to me from the unit back when I was on active duty. Your personality was extremely welcoming and you were easily one of the nicest people I’ve come across in the Air Force.

I was saddened to hear of your passing and it’s going to take our unit a while to adjust without your presence, but I know you’re in a much better place. God Bless, Chief. Rest in peace.

From Todd Best...

It was an honor to serve with Chief Smith.

His life was characterized by support and protection of his country, community, family and friends. Never was there a man with more cause to be proud and boastful – yet he instead was humble and respectful of others. With an easy smile and quiet dignity, he was the first you’d choose to be with in battle or in peace.

Rest easy, now, Smitty, and let the weight of the world be a burden to you no more. The spirit of your compassion for others will remain a gift to everyone whose life you touched. Carrying on in a world without you will be that much emptier, but we are all stronger and better able to persevere for having known you.

From SSgt Tom Host...

Chief you were a mentor,leader,hero but above all a friend. we will never forget.
Rest In Peace Chief.

From Randy and Vicki Fix...

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. My memories of Steve always include that smile of his! Enjoyed seeing him this summer. May God Bless each of you as you cherish your memories of Steve. Love you all!

From Rod and Teresa Tauck...

With all our sympathy and prayers for your whole family at this difficult time. Love, Rod and Teresa

From Erlend & TheaLou Laird...

We will remember Steve and know that he will be missed by all that knew him. We are so very sorry for your loss and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love Erlend & TheaLou

From Kelley and Todd Reuer...

Bob and Ann, Gary and Lora,
How our hearts sank when we received the news Monday about Steve’s passing away. We just recently reconnected last fall through facebook and found where Steve was. Your family has meant a lot to us, even though we’ve been parted for years. If it wasn’t for your faithfulness to God, we wouldn’t be where we are today in our walk with God.
I remember many good times and laughs with Steve way back when at Shiloh and Ekalaka days.
Our prayers and love go out to you all. We love you and are praying God will give you the grace to go on in joy.
Love,
Todd and Kelley Reuer and family

From Judy (Taralson) Salzmann...

Bob, Ann, Lora & Gary – we became a very blessed family the day we met The Smith’s. I know it has been far too many years since we have been in contact, but know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers very much over the past few months. May our Comforter wrap you in His arms during this time of loss for you all. Love and hugs from Judy on behalf of all the Taralson Family in Alberta, Canada.

From Linda Wilson...

I am so very thankful I had the opportunity to spend quality time with my cousin during the past year. It had been more than 20 years since we saw each other and I enjoyed every minute we shared reminicing on the past and catching up to our current events. Life is too short, it doesn’t seem fair that he is no longer with us and he will be missed, but I know God has a better plan for him. Uncle Bob, Aunt Ann, Lori and Gary, I love you all and know that my thoughts are with you!

From Zachary Peck...

I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

From Laurice...

Bob, Ann, Gary and Smitty. U know how much i love u all. i wish i could be there for u now. So glad Lora and Steve stopped by last summer. He was always so much fun to be around. My heart is heavy, he will be missed. Please know all of us in Ekalaka are thinking of u all.

From Maj Ray Schierhoff (McChord AFB)...

Steve, my heart sank to hear of your passing. You were a good friend, leader, and true supporter of the troops. You made a miserable deployment tolerable with your indomitable spirit and cheerful personality. You will be sorely missed!

To the family, my condolences for this tremendous loss.

From Nancy Carter...

Steve I am so thankful that I got to see you one last time last August. You will be missed you but we will see you again. I am praying for you Bob, Ann, Gary and Lori. I wish I could be be there to hug you all. Today I am rembering the fun Tim, Ande, Steve and I had when they got snowed into Miles City after Christmas Break. I will get out the pictures and have a good cry.

From Tyson and Cris Randall...

Godspeed Steve, you were a good man and will be missed by so many people. I always enjoyed meeting you on calls and visiting with you.

Our deepest sympathy and love to your family.

From Jerre and Ed Lamb...

Our condolences to all of the family. I remember Steve as a compassionate and ambitious young man. We were extremely fortunate to have seen and talked with him last summer. Our very best to a wonderful family. Jerre and Ed Lamb

From Scott & Elizabeth Ferris...

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Smith family.

From Jeanette Reiling (LDCFM)...

I believe that each of us longs to leave a legacy or significance when we pass on, Steve has certainly accomplished that in so many ways. May God comfort you at this time of great loss and sorrow.

From Julia and Doug Davis...

To Steve’s family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great loss. Lora~my heart is thinking of you and just know that you have friends here that are praying for all of you and please give my condolences to your folks and bro..Much love, Julia and Doug

From Kelli Green...

My heart goes out to the family the fire dogs, his unit at Whiteman AFB and all the lives CMSgt Smith touched. Smitty was my right hand man going through pre-deployment training…what a selfless, amazing leader with a huge heart! While deployed he not only kept great care of his Defenders he watched over and took great care of an Airman who happened to be co-workers daughter. Smitty, you’ll be missed Brother! Again, please accept my sincerest condolenses

From Beth Elmore Lang...

My deepest condolences for your loss. My prayers will be with you.

From Pat Gundlach...

I am so sorry for the loss that you all are experiencing. Although I had only talked to Steve once recently he still had the fire in his heart that he had for the Lord as a young man. I pray for Gods peace to surround each one of you. In Christ.
Pat

From Irene Knipfer Hendricks...

My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Loss is so hard when it is family but God knows all things.
In Gods Love
Irene

From Jordan Prince...

My condolences to the family. Im thankful that i got to meet steve in the 6 months i lived with chance. My only regret is that i did not take more time to get to know him better. yet still he left an everlasting inpression that im sure he left with everyone he met. I dont think ill ever meet another man like steve, with true and sincere compassion in saving anyone who needed help, and protecting all within our borders. im so sorry to hear about this. god bless

From Gabe & Christina Martin...

Smitty, you were a great man and a great friend. We will miss you tremendously. We wish we could be there to help celebrate your life.

From Jonathan Gray...

“Smitty” There is/was no better First Sergeant than you. You will be missed.

From Tsgt Timothy Brock & Shoshanna Brock...

Please accept our most deepest Sympathy for your loss. “Smitty” was extremely supportive to our family while my husband was deployed. Please know that he was a amazing man who will be missed.

From Tom and Kathy Stieg...

Our love and sympathy to all of you. Our hearts and prayers go out for you. Wish we could be with you in person. May God hold you close in this hard time. Love, Tom and Kathy Stieg

From Rick Heffron...

Top was truly a loyal and faithful friend and will be sorely missed. Godspeed my brother.

From Eric Ramsey, Lenexa FD Battalion Chief...

Deepest sympathy and prayers during this sad loss.

Messages are closed.