Robert George "Bert" Smith

1946 - 2023

Boise - My best friend, Robert George "Bert" Smith, passed away on September 23, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. Bert was born March 06, 1946, to Ted O. Smith and Rosie Nell (Goetjen) Smith in Hood River, Oregon. He attended Moser Grade School until his father passed away in 1952 and the family moved to Otis, Oregon.

He and his brother helped their aunt, Lola, with her dairy farm, doing the milking and taking care of the animals. He attended Oceanlake Grade School and Taft High School in Lincoln City, Oregon. When he was old enough to drive, he worked at a local service station and was able to work on his own cars. He was a good mechanic and helped his brothers fix and repair their cars as well.

In 1965, he married Pam Jones. They adopted a daughter, and he started working for a drywall company. After several years, he and a friend started their own business doing drywall; remodeling and the construction of houses.

Following his divorce in the early 1970's, he went to work for Leatham Brothers Trucking in Salt Lake City, Utah. He drove the western states and Canada hauling salt.

In the 1980's, he changed jobs, moved to Boise, Idaho, and worked for Conestoga Transportation. He began driving cross-country, hauling lumber, steel, and heavy equipment.

In 1987, he married Corrine Smith and was able to take her "truckin" on several occasions. Although it was demanding work, he enjoyed seeing the United States and the people he met.

In the early 1990's, he stopped driving and bought Zinn Trucking Company. He changed the name to Idaho's Best Trucking, operating his company until 2006. The high fuel prices and his declining health forced him to close the doors. Bert spent his retirement working in the yard and making furniture.

Bert was a member of the BPOE for 53 years and was most recently a member of #310 Lodge in Boise, Idaho. He was enormously proud of the 3-million-mile plaque he received for accident-free driving.

Bert is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Farrell, Vernon, Don, Harry, and Sam; a niece; and a nephew. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Corrine Smith; daughter, Tiarra Laws; granddaughter, Chelsea; grandson's: Gabrielle and Hunter; 15 incredibly special nieces and nephews; 24 great nieces and nephews; and 16 great-great nieces and nephews.

At Bert's request, there will not be a funeral or memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Idaho, American Heart Association of Idaho, The American Lung Association of Idaho, or your favorite charity. Interment will be at Dry Creek Cemetery. Arrangements were made under the direction of Accent Funeral Home.

Bert loved people and enjoyed his friends and family. He was good at making everyone smile. He always said when he passed to: "Remember me with a smile or don't remember me at all." He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.