Robert "Bob" Wayne Smith

Robert “Bob” Wayne Smith, 90, of Moberly, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, surrounded by the love of his wife and sons.

Bob was born in Macon, Missouri to Paul Franklin and Mae Lucille (Smith) Smith on June 8, 1935. In 1979, he married the love of his life, Victoria “Vicki” Smith, at Perche Baptist Church in Clark, Missouri.

He dedicated himself to serving his country in the U.S. Army from April 1958 to May 1960 as a diesel mechanic, an experience that ignited his lifelong passion for working on cars and industrial equipment. After leaving the military, he returned to Moberly and pursued his passion as a mechanic at several auto dealerships in town. Then, in the 1970s, he began working for the Peabody/Associated Electric coal mine in Thomas Hill, Missouri, as a mechanic working on large industrial equipment until his retirement in the late 1990’s.

Bob was never one to sit idle. You could always find him in his garage, tinkering with a transmission, overhauling an engine, or fine-tuning his lawn mower. If he wasn't doing that, he was on the hunt for a car for one of his kids, a niece, or a nephew. He took great pride in ensuring that those turning sixteen had a nice set of wheels when they received their driver's license. In his retirement years, you could still find him tinkering in his garage, rebuilding transmissions, restoring late-model cars, or engaging in anything that involved making something run better. Additionally, he and his wife would make yearly pilgrimages in the winter to Mississippi and Florida to spend time with family and friends.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents; son, Dwayne Schell; sister, Lala Smiley; and brother, Herbert Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife Vicki; sons, Scott Schell and John Schell; grandchildren; John R. Schell, Danny Schell and Mason Schell; four great grandchildren; sister, Velma Casebolt; several nieces and nephews.

A service celebrating Bob’s life is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 12:00 Noon at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Moberly. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon with Interment following the service at Oakland Cemetery in Moberly.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.