Robert "Bob" Smith's Obituary
Robert Smith
“Here’s to the good life”
August 26, 1933 – January 23, 2026
Robert (Bob) Ralph Smith, a gregarious man of unending optimism and humor, died peacefully at home on January 23, 2026. He lived 92 years defying the odds of his many medical complications with the unending care of his wife, Madelyn. Born in Seattle on August 26, 1933, he was the younger child of Ralph Rice Smith and Mary Elizabeth Tessman Smith. He and his older sister, Arlene Smith Alton, were raised with the practical ideals of hard work, integrity and strong moral principles. These values combined with Bob’s infectious personality served him well throughout his personal and professional life.
Bob graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle in 1951 and attended Willamette University where a football injury sidelined his gridiron aspirations. He transferred to University of Washington where he rowed with the prestigious UW Men’s Rowing team. His passion for the Huskies was a lifetime love affair and he was a football season ticket holder for decades. His love for the Huskies was a shared legacy with many of his stepchildren and grandchildren.
As a U.S. Naval Lieutenant aboard an aircraft carrier, Bob conducted three deployments mainly around Japan. His official capacity was that of paymaster and perhaps that is where he honed his financial skills which would guide the rest of his professional career.
Bob married Betty Ackerman Smith in 1959. They had two children, Roger Rice Smith (1962) and Allison Smith Martin (1964). Bob was a successful stock broker with Dean Witter in Tacoma and an avid, and highly-skilled, sailor. During his sailing years, he was the skipper of Camelot and later, Warlock, out of the Tacoma Yacht Club. Warlock was first to finish and first in class in the prestigious Swiftsure International Yacht Race in 1977. His great love for sailing was passed on to two of his stepchildren who joined him on many local sailing adventures.
Bob and Betty divorced in 1973. Bob went on to find the love of his life with Madelyn Bosko McMonagle Smith and the two were married on May 22, 1975. With Madelyn’s five children, Bob gained more children whom he loved and fathered until his passing: Shannon McMonagle, Colleen McMonagle, Kerry McMonagle Spajic, John McMonagle and Mary McMonagle Bonnofksy. This blended family was often referred to as the Lucky Seven.
On March 1, 1991, Bob suffered an enormous stroke which left him unable to walk the remainder of his life. He was not expected to survive the hemorrhage due to its severity. But with his usual indefatigable attitude, grit and persistence, Bob survived and thrived. His positive
attitude continued to shine in the most dire of circumstances and he swept those around him into his wake of joy. What an inspiring man!
Bob and Madelyn loved to travel and there is scarcely a corner of the world they didn’t investigate. The love of traveling was a passion shared with all seven children as they took the kids to France, the Baltics, Hawaii, Alaska and more. But they were always eager to get back to their friends and family at their home in the Tacoma Country and Golf Club.
After the kids left the nest, Bob and Madelyn began a new chapter of spending winters at Westbook Village in Peoria, Arizona. With a pack of Tacoma friends and a new Arizona posse, Bob and Madelyn enjoyed life on the golf course with winter sunshine and frequent family visits. Although Bob was confined to a wheelchair at this point, he lived a rich and fulfilling life sharing tall tales, his sunny disposition and never-ending one-liners. (“On a scale of 1 – 10, I’m a 12!”)
Bob’s health complications were numerous in his later years. Madelyn spent years expertly managing a team of caregivers that became his extended family. With her thoughtful orchestration and their love, care and devotion, Bob managed to flourish when his medical charts looked grim. He was often referred to as “Bounceback Bob” which was a direct result of the phenomenal care he received.
A son, a brother, a father, a sailor, a husband, a stepfather, a golfer, a gardener, a friend, the life of any and all gatherings. Bob Smith has left an indelible mark on the lives of all who knew him and loved him. His legacy will live on with his wife, children and many friends and family.
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