Robert L. Smuts (96), reunited with his late wife Elizabeth A. Smuts (d. October 2, 2023) on November 21, 2024.

Bob was born in Scotia, NY on May 25, 1928, and was the only son of Louis E. and Barbara Stevenson Smuts. Betty was born in Hartford, CT on April 27, 1931, and was the daughter of Robert D. and Katherine Steele Allison.

Bob was a proud veteran of the US Navy, having served on the USS Richard E. Kraus.

Bob graduated from the State College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, and Betty graduated from Lasell College in Newton, MA.

Bob was a career employee of the Hartford Electric Light Company/Northeast Utilities. Betty and Bob met when they both worked at HELCO in the 1950's. Betty passed away shortly before they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Bob and Betty were long time residents of Simsbury, CT where they raised their three sons, William (Tracy), James (Gwendolyn), and Kenneth (Kathleen). Bob was a long time member of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Department, and Betty was a former president of the Simsbury Garden Club. Both were faithful members of First Church of Christ in Simsbury. Following Bob's retirement, they were Summer residents of Long Lake, NY, and Winter residents of Bellaire Beach, and then Seminole, Fl. They were members of Anona United Methodist Church, Largo, FL.

Bob and Betty shared their love of the outdoors with their sons through family camping, fishing, skiing, and hiking experiences in New England and their beloved Adirondacks. Their sons learned to row the small family fishing boat during these adventures which eventually led to their participation on the high school crew and to championships on collegiate rowing teams. Bob and Betty supported their sons at many of these races over the years.

With a healthy case of wanderlust, Bob and Betty traveled extensively through North America and the rest of the world.

Bob and Betty leave their three sons and their wives, seven grandchildren: Michael Smuts, Christopher Smuts, Kirsten Hathaway, Allison Lyons, Laura Metzger, Gregory Smuts, and Jonathan Smuts, and thirteen great grandchildren.

Betty was pre-deceased by her brothers, Robert D. Allison Jr. and William L. Allison.

A memorial service will be held next summer in Long Lake, NY.

Donations to honor Betty and Bob's memory may be made to the Simsbury Garden Club, The Wild Center, Tupper, NY, or to a charity of your choice.