A champion of heavenly causes, the Rev. Dr. Robert C. Smith, is remembered
KAY DEMOSS
Senior Editor-Writer, Michigan Area
Those gathered at Grand Rapids Trinity United Methodist Church on April 29, 2017 heard him described as a “prince,” a “giant,” a “friend,” and “relentless.” They had come to celebrate the life of the Rev. Dr. Robert Charles Smith.
Bob passed away at his Clark Retirement Community home on April 20, sound of mind and still eager to remain active as a disciple of Jesus Christ and transformer of the world.
As with most memorial services, the scripture, hymns and tributes evoked memories of the man and honored his character and achievements. But the act of worship that called forth Bob’s spirit in the most powerful of ways was Trinity member Bill Chowning’s singing of, “The Impossible Dream.”
For colleagues knew Smith as a man “willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause,” particularly when that cause was hunger … in the neighborhood or around the world.
A faithful life
The Rev. Ed Perkins, Smith’s long-time friend, recalled Bob’s journey of life and faith.
Bob Smith was born in Grand Rapids in 1919 to a “not particularly church-going family.” His height would lead him to play Goliath at Wallin Congregational Church (thus began his distaste for literal interpretation of scripture, according to Perkins) and then to the basketball team of Valley Methodist Church. There he became a leader in the Epworth League and dreamed of becoming an attorney. His mentor’s suggestion that he become a preacher “hit Bob like a bolt of lightning.”
Impossible dream, however, as Bob lacked the resources to pursue such a goal. The mentor also became a benefactor. It was to the generosity of that mentor, that Smith traced his own humanitarian zeal. He would help others as he had been helped.
After graduating from Garrett Theological Seminary he went on to serve Dowling: Country Chapel; Banfield; Middleville; Ovid United Church and Shepardsville; Mt. Pleasant 1st; and Jackson 1st Methodist churches. In 1971 Smith’s ministry went beyond the local church serving as Superintendent of the Grand Rapids District and Director of the West Michigan Conference Council on Ministries.
A young woman at Banfield heard of the appointment of a new pastor and asked, “What have they sent us this time?” Bob was to marry that young woman, Helen Gray, and she would be at his side as a tireless advocate for mission until her death in 1998.
Champion for mission
Bob’s passion for mission was exerted during his tenure as Conference Council Director. During the memorial service the Rev. Julie Liske read remarks sent for the occasion by Bishop Sharon Rader. Bishop Rader joined the West Michigan program staff in 1981.
She recalls, “Among my responsibilities was global and local mission work and Bob immediately knew I would need to be tutored, encouraged, and challenged to help the West Michigan Conference be one of the leading conferences in support of mission ministries.” She went on to say, “Bob was one of UMCOR’s most vocal and faithful supports. He wanted the West Michigan Conference to never be guilty of compassion fatigue.”
Bob was an architect of West Michigan’s “Six Lanes of the Advance” that has provided scope and direction for congregations’ mission giving for nearly 50 years. The West Michigan Conference led the denomination in per capita giving to mission for years, largely on the outpouring of millions of dollars for hunger and disaster relief. As Perkins would note, “Largely due to the incredible energy and influence of Bob Smith.” Upon his retirement from the West Michigan Conference in 1983, Bob Smith served the United Methodist Committee on Relief until 1992. The stole worn by Ed Perkins during the memorial service was given to Bob on one of his many trips with UMCOR. Perkins reported that Bob and Helen both partnered with UMCOR leaders Harry Haines and Norma Kehrberg. “The Midwest Office for UMCOR was in their basement,” Perkins remarked. “With the help of Dave Wiltse, West Michigan’s graphic designer, they published the UMCOR Updates that circulated nationwide.”
Bob’s efforts were not confined to the basement. He traveled extensively raising both awareness and dollars. Perkins read from a recent letter sent to Bob by Norma Kehrberg : “You are the best promoter and enthusiastic supporter for UMCOR, the church, and for God. Always charismatic. Always optimistic. Always cajoling.”
An anecdote shared by Ed Perkins dispelled the notion that Bob overlooked nearby neighbors to the advantage of those abroad. “Bob was tireless for mission here in Grand Rapids.” A favorite project was the Trinity UMC garden out of which Bob personally made regular deliveries to South End Community Ministries (SECOM) and North End Community Ministry (NECM). And thanks to countless phone calls made from his bed and chair, Bob once set a record for participation in the local hunger walk even though he was laid up in rehab. Nothing impossible for those “ardent in spirit” described in Romans 12:1-16, read early in the service.
Legacy lives on
It happened that the United Methodist Council of Bishops was meeting in Dallas at the same time the congregation was gathered in Grand Rapids to remember Bob Smith. However, three bishops sent comments, excerpted here …
Bishop David Bard, read by Rev. John Boley: “Bob was a person of deep faith who cared passionately about The United Methodist Church … He was esteemed as the embodiment of a thoughtful Christian faith … His service to church and world were exemplary.”
Bishop Donald Ott, read by Rev. Doug Vernon: “You opened my eyes. You stretched my heart. You challenged my commitment to the world second only to Jesus … I came to Michigan as your bishop and for eight years you kept asking, “What was I doing, what was I thinking, and what was I planning for The Advance … Relentless and hope-filled and expectant are my words for you.”
Bishop Sharon Rader, read by Rev. Julie Liske: “Bob paid attention to what was going on in the United States and globally and he believed, as Christians, we have the responsibility to respond … He wasn’t perfect but he surely was one of God’s own, sometimes larger than life but always seeking to grow in the fullness of a faithful follower of Jesus.”
At the time of his death, Bob Smith was in nursing care at Clark Community but was still contributing to the work of the Mission Team at Trinity UMC with the help of his wife, Dorothy. As Perkins explained, Dorothy was Bob’s, “secretary, chauffeur, wife, caregiver and partner in ministry over the years.” Rev. Doug Vernon, calling himself “adopted as his son in ministry,” noted, “Bob stayed engaged as long as he possibly could. He gave his life to the more abundant life.”
During the service, son Robert H. Smith paid tribute to his father saying, “It’s not about how long you live but about how much you live. He was a great humanitarian who cared about those who struggled to survive.” And then he gave a challenge to those in the pews who tend to be too content with what’s possible. “Please give a moment’s thought to what you can do to perpetuate his goals in this cruel world.”
The spirit of the Rev. Dr. Robert C. Smith is alive. The dream continues.
Last Updated on May 3, 2017