Robert E. Smith

Artist, writer, singer and actor Robert Eugene Smith peacefully passed away February 13, 2010, aged 82, surrounded by friends and family. Robert was born October 14, 1927, in St. Louis, Mo., the only child of Clarance and Mary Agnes (Walls) Smith. He grew up in St. Louis, Union and Garland, Texas. He was forced to drop out of high school to help support his family, and was very proud to have earned his diploma in 1970, at age 42. In 1981, he completed 60 college hours at SMSU and earned a substitute teaching certificate, and later taught occasional art classes. Robert moved to Springfield in 1975, with hopes of acting at Landers Theater. Robert held many jobs, among his favorites, selling concessions at Busch Stadium and selling Grit newspapers. But it was Robert's artwork that brought him fame and national recognition. Though he had drawn since childhood, he didn't take art seriously until 1967, when he sold his first collection of drawings to a friend for $25. Robert was self-taught, taking inspiration from coloring books, photos, history, news stories and his own experiences. His "story paintings"- complete with a cassette of Robert himself reading the story - overflow with color, humor and incident, representing a triumph of the imagination over a strenuous and difficult life. They have been shown at New York's Museum of American Folk Art, Vanderbilt University, and sold at distinguished galleries across the country. He is featured in The Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century American Folk Art. His paintings are on display in hundreds of Springfield homes and businesses. His mural of Springfield's former Colonial Hotel remains downtown at Campbell and Walnut. Robert was also a prolific writer, producing many self-published volumes of poems and semi-autobiographical stories. Though he didn't drive, Robert traveled extensively by Greyhound Bus and bicycled all around Springfield, once even riding to Branson. He carried a camera everywhere, to record scenes and faces for his paintings. Robert loved life. He loved to sing, anywhere from recording studios to answering machines. He loved to be on stage and on camera, recently appearing in the film To and From. He loved to dance with pretty girls. He loved wearing bright colors and costumes, often appearing in a sombrero, wig or clown shoes. He loved baseball, holidays, parades, Shirley Temple and telling stories. Robert is survived by several cousins, Jean Frazier and husband Mike, Rolla, Grace Matthews, San Diego, Calif., Evert Smith, Rolla, Judy Huber, Jefferson City, Pat Knapp, Baden, Okla., Sally Smith, Rolla, Eugene Smith, Lamont, Shirley Lange, Belle, and a vast network of supportive friends in Springfield. A celebration of Robert's life will be held at a later date at the Springfield Art Museum. His remains were donated to medical research, as per his request. Share your memories and photos at www.roberteugenesmith.com/. Memorials may be made in Robert's name to Latin America ChildCare, Class 70, through which Robert sponsored a child from El Salvador.