Robert (Bob) Smootz, 78 passed away, April 29, 2018 at Peace Hospice in Great Falls from a lengthy illness.

Bob was born on Dec. 25, 1939 in Great Falls to Lawrence and Opal Smootz. They divorced and Opal was remarried to George Livers. Bob graduated from Northern Montana College in Havre with a B.A. in Education. He met and married Shirley (Klay/Kendle) Smootz while teaching in Sweetgrass. The family moved to Kevin where he taught for several years. In 1970 they moved to Geraldine to be closer to Shirley's family and he taught for the last 25 years of his career in the Geraldine School District. His students were always his main priority and concern in and out of the classroom. Many times throughout the years after the school day ended he would take work to a student's home who had been sick. He served in many extracurricular jobs for the district that included coaching Jr High flag football, faculty sponsor for concessions at the games and substitute bus driver. Shirley passed away in 1977, leaving him with their young family to raise. He later met and married Verna (Webb) Smootz. He volunteered at the Geraldine Ambulance service and with the Volunteer Fire Department. Bob was a long-time member of the local Kiwanis organization. He enjoyed being part of the Senior Center and visiting with many friends there until his health kept him at home most of the time. Bob lived the majority of his life in the caring, supportive community of Geraldine and loved keeping in contact with his former students and their families. Survivors are: Wiley Kendle (Patti), Rose Dearing (Nathan), Winona Smootz, Georgia Miller (Bryan), Klay Smootz (Lyn), Kim (Galen) Flannagan, grandchildren Brian Dearing and Berlyn Aylett. Preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Dick and Dale Barnes, wives Shirley (Klay) Smootz, Verna (Webb) Smootz and grandson Bryan Hodges.

A memorial service will be held at the Geraldine United Methodist Church on June 16th at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow. Bob will be interned at the Fort Benton Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in the memory of Robert to the Great Falls Rescue Mission or charity of choice.