Robert T. Smith

Robert Terrence "R.T." Smith, 76, of Lake Township, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital in Newberry, Michigan.

R.T. was born on April 2, 1936 in Roseville, Michigan, the son of the late Robert Clay Smith and Dorothy Elice (Ferland) Smith. He graduated from St. Joseph Commercial High in Detroit and entered the US Marine Corps after spending a year in the National Guard. Upon his discharge from the military, he served 12 years as a Detroit Firefighter. On April 26, 1958 he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Buchalski in Detroit at St. Stanislaus Church.


They moved to Caseville in 1968 and R.T. started a construction company and began serving his community as a volunteer firefighter. His service was extended to Lake Township where he served on the committee that drafted the township ordinances 1973-1975. He was chairman or co-chairman of the Planning Board for 15 years. He served on the Board of Appeals for 15 years and served as chairman of the Caseville Fire Protection Board for 2 years. He was the interim Supervisor for 8 months helping to implement the Homestead Act for Lake Township. Later he worked as the Zoning Administrator for the Village of Caseville for 4 years. He was elected to office as the Lake Township Supervisor in 2008 and was seeking reelection.

R.T. was a charter member of the Caseville Eagles and served the club as Entertainment Chairman for 10 years and started the “Taco Nite” on Thursdays. He was the adjutant of the Caseville American Legion post at the time of his death. He popped corn at the Lakers Boosters concession for many years when his children attended Lakers and for many years after they graduated.

R.T. was known around town to Caseville Area children as “Uncle Ho-Ho” as he called himself when they would ask him if he was Santa Claus. He served in that capacity at the Hollyberry Fair for 20 years. He enjoyed the family property in Newberry and loved to spend time in that area and had many friends there, mostly hunting buddies.

He is survived by his wife Patricia; four children, Kristopher of Boston, Stephen of Caseville, Jeff (Marcy), and Robyn of Fond du Lac, WI.; two granddaughters Kailey and Bekka Smith of Fond du Lac. He has three sisters, Mary Jane (Harrell) Cook, Florence (Carlo) La Rocca and Ruthanne (Kenneth) Mattingly and numerous nieces and nephews. He also has two sisters-in-law (Sandy & Paula) and two brothers-in-law (Dennis & David) and their spouses, children and grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be at 11:00 am Thursday, June 28th at St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville, with Fr. Robert Pare presiding. Graveside military honors will be presented by the Caseville American Legion at St. Roch Cemetery.

Visitation will be 3 to 8 pm Wednesday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville. He will lie in-state one hour prior to mass on Thursday in Church. There will be a scripture service at 7:30 Wednesday at the funeral home. There will be an Eagles Ritual at 4:00 pm and an American Legion Tribute at 6:00 pm Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to the Caseville American Legion Gifts for the Troops Program.