Robert “Bob” Smoot, 71, of Laramie, formerly of Dodge City, Kansas, died Sunday, June 22, 2014, at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colorado, after battling injuries sustained in a car accident May 22, 2014. Bob was released from his pain and died with his family at his bedside comforting him in his final hours.
Bob graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1960 and married his high school sweetheart, Jean Register, in 1962. They enjoyed 51 wonderful years together and were the proud parents of two daughters, Kristen Smoot and Renee Ballard, both of Laramie. Bob also leaves behind his grandson, Andrew Ballard, who will miss his “papa” greatly, but knows he is “free of the pain and is in a better place.”
In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by two sisters, Trudy Lewis, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sara Foss of Snellville, Georgia, as well as one brother, Roy Smoot, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Bob held a multitude of jobs throughout his life, starting in construction in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and finishing as a supervisor for Transit and Parking Services at the University of Wyoming. In between those positions, he worked as a school teacher, police officer and director of continuing education for the University of Kansas Medical Center, to name a few.
While his employment history was diverse, a constant in his life was his love of horses. Bob started in the horse industry working with Ralph Ward in 1966 and eventually worked up to teaching equine science programs at several colleges.
Bob became an AQHA judge in 1980 and later expanded to include APHA judging and AQHA steward credentials.
For 34 years as an AQHA judge, he traveled all over the world and touched the lives of countless people.
Bob was a valued friend to people he met both near and far.
He could always be counted on to help if asked and the only payment needed was time to swap stories.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, at St. Paul’s Newman Center Parish in Laramie. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Robert Smoot Memorial Fund at UniWyo Federal Credit Union (www.uniwyo.com) in Laramie, which has been setup to help the family with mounting medical bills and funeral expenses.
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June 24th, 2014
UPDATE on Robert Smoot from Jeanne Neperud: It is with a heavy heart that I tell you we lost a good man and horseman today. Robert Smoot went home to be with the Lord this afternoon, He will be greatly missed by his friends and family. Please pray for his family during this very difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be announced soon.
June 20, 2014
From friend and competitor Jeanne Neperud: Robert continues to remain in intensive care but is making slow progress. They had to place a tracheostomy after the second week, but he has fortunately been removed completely from the ventilator recently. He has a temporary pacemaker and will eventually receive a permanent one. He is receiving tube feedings and tolerating that well, and also had to have a stent placed in his liver. Robert still needs much prayer and good wishes for a steady recovery. The family thanks everyone for all their support and prayers.
June 2, 2014
From friend and competitor Jeanne Neperud: AQHA Judge Robert Smoot was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident on May 22nd. He reportedly became unconscious and hit a telephone pole and traffic light pole before coming to a stop. He was taken to Medical Center of the Rockies in critical condition with multiple internal injuries and remains in the intensive care. Robert has been an AQHA judge for 34 years and lives in Laramie, WY. The accident occurred while on the campus of University of Wyoming where Robert is also employed. Robert and his family could use some prayers as he is still fighting to recover.
