Robert Viguet

Robert Joel Viguet, Sr., 89, of Free Ferry Road in Fort Smith departed this life on December 23, 2020. Bob was born in Fort Smith and was known as a successful real estate developer, entrepreneur and rancher in Western Arkansas. He was married to Sara Randall Ross for over 50 years. He graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1950, served in the Navy during the Korean War as a radar technician aboard the destroyer, SS Kirkpatrick, and returned from the war to attend college at the University of Arkansas. Bob studied business administration in college, was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and married Sara Randall Ross shortly after graduation. Bob briefly studied law, but after early success in real estate investments, he decided to pursue independent career focused on real estate. He founded or co-founded many different businesses, including real estate brokerage, home building, residential property development, commercial insurance brokerage, commercial building construction, and multi-family and commercial property development and management businesses, and it was a matter of pride for him that he was self-employed essentially his entire career. Bob loved the outdoors and was involved in ranching, hunting and fishing throughout his life. He was a longtime member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Randall Ross Viguet’ his sister, Eddie Lou Viguet Steinmetz Hale’ and his parents, Lorene Hamilton Viguet McCain and Edgar C. McCain. Bob is survived by his four children and ten grandchildren, including son, Robert Joel Viguet, Jr. and his wife, Janet McChristain Viguet, of Houston, Texas; and their children, Meridith Leigh Viguet, of New York, New York, and Claire Elise Viguet and John Ross Viguet of Houston, Texas; daughter, Suesann Dearing Viguet of Fort Smith and her children, Sara Mason Skulman of Chicago, Illinois, and Laura Hamilton Skulman of Fort Smith; son, Rutherford Ross Viguet and his wife, Lisa Eddy Viguet, of Dallas, Texas, and their children, Blair Dawn Ann Viguet and Sara Alexandria Viguet of Orlando, Florida; and daughter, Sara Randall Viguet Goodwin and her husband, Bryan Van Goodwin, and their children, Alexander Van Goodwin, Jackson Lanier Goodwin, and Anastasia Katherine Goodwin of Fort Smith.

Due to considerations of Covid-19, funeral services will be a private graveside ceremony on Monday, January 4, 2021, at Liles Chapel Cemetery near Booneville. Arrangement are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Church of Fort Smith or the charity of your choice.