Robert D Smith

Robert D Smith “Tuscon Smitty”, of Mescal, AZ passed away peacefully on November 6th after
a long battle with cancer. Robert was born on May 29th, 1950 in Harbor Beach MI, the son of
Victor and Betty (Thompson) Smith. Bob was raised in Harbor Beach and attended High School
there as well. After studying at Delta Community College he went on to become a bartender at
Forniers for a number of years. During that time he also played Bass guitar during the live
shows his band would put on. In 1978 he moved to Tuscon, Az where he managed an
apartment complex.
Smitty was a member of PokerStars and hosted The Chip Board Poker Tournaments for several
years. He developed such skill that he went on to participate in the World Series Poker
Tournament and attended multiple CCA Conventions as a Dealer specializing in antique poker
chips. Smitty was once a Harley Davidson biker, and also enjoyed camping and boating.
Smitty enjoyed his time in Arizona and upon retirement as a dispatch manager at Yellow Cab
Taxi Company in Tuscon, he went on to work a number of jobs to keep himself occupied.
Smitty’s most notable venture was his Ice Cream Golf Cart that he ran for a few years in the
summers of Benson. Smitty eventually found himself working midnights at the Quick Pic where
he would be accompanied by his beloved, “Guard Dog on Duty” Emma to keep him company
and entertain the customers during some of those long nights.
Robert is survived by a daughter Nikki (Ed) Niemi of Gregory, MI, grandchildren Tucker and
Emmet Niemi also of Gregory. Siblings Ken (Lauren) Smith of Lakeland, MI., Sharlene (Paul)
Binder of Harbor Beach, MI., and Brian (Tina) Smith of Hartland, MI. He is also survived by
many nieces and nephews and greats. Many close friends and neighbors.
Memorial services in Harbor Beach, Michigan will be set for a later date. Mescal Bar and Grill
will be hosting a memorial dinner Nov. 20th from 2-6.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert D Smith, please visit our floral store.