Robert Eugene “Bob” Smith was called to the Lord on Oct. 6, 2011, at the age of 70. He was born Jan. 2, 1941 in Anchorage, Alaska, to Eugene and Ingeborg (Swanson) Smith. Bob was raised in Anchorage.

Bob was a talented musician, playing the saxophone for the school band. His school was honored with an invitation to march in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. Bob was also known as the high school student with the coolest car, his black Mercury with its yellow tuck-and-roll leather interior.

Following graduation, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, envisioning himself as a fighting Marine. The Marine Corps quickly recognized Bob’s musical talents and immediately made him a member of the Marine Corps Band.

Bob served for four years with the Marines and was able to march in the Rose Parade for a second time.

Bob left the Marines in 1963 and returned to Anchorage. He was married and began a family, which grew to four children. Bob went into retail sales for a time and also worked a delivery route for a bottling company. Bob became a born again Christian. He eventually left Alaska and moved to Orange County, Calif., where he became a regional manager of marketing for Pepsi products. Bob’s marriage ended in divorce and he returned to Alaska.

Bob met a former high school classmate and a romance began. On Feb. 28, 1981, Bob and Renetta Thomas were married. Bob opened Alaska Direct Mail and built a distribution service which grew to processing nearly one million items per year.

Bob and Renetta traveled to Washington several times per year and eventually decided to settle on Whidbey Island. The purchased property in 1991 and in 1993, became permanent residents of Coupeville.

Bob continued his love of music and soon joined local music groups, including the Whidbey Island Jazz Society, the Generation Gap and the Whidbey Island Community Band. He played soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone.

Bob and Renetta were both active members of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church of Oak Harbor. Bob also served as a volunteer for WAIF animal shelter as a dog walker. WAIF became his source of new adoptions for the Smith household over the years.

Bob was deeply in love with Renetta and he was the love of her life. He was a true romantic, often surprising her with ads in the newspaper expressing his love. He also had a great love of his dogs, including Josie, May and his current dog Baxter.

Bob is survived by his wife Renetta; by three children, Rebecca Smith and Christy Smith, both of California and Robert S. Smith of Georgia; by three step-children, Gilbert Serrano of Colorado, Craig Serrano and wife Carrie of Michigan and Jason Serrano of Wasilla, Alaska; and two brothers, Donald Smith (Kay) of Anchorage and Gary Smith and wife Kathy of Grand Junction, Colo.

Donna Smith, his eldest daughter, preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Bob Smith will be held Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Oak Harbor with Rev. Paul Orritt officiating. A reception will follow in Miller Hall and burial will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville. Memorials may be made to the Whidbey Island Jazz Society Scholarship Fund, c/o Jerry Jones, 2274 S.W. Grientjes Lane, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor, WA.