Robert Donald Smith

Rob was born on October 9, 1976, in Sturgeon Bay, WI to Donald and Judy (Pomeroy) Smith. He received his secondary education and biology degrees at Concordia University Wisconsin in 2000 and a master’s degree in science education from Montana State University in 2003. On July 22, 2000, he married Rebecca (Becky) Lower while raising two sons, Hunter and Rylan.

Rob started his teaching career at Random Lake High School and then moved to Marengo, teaching and coaching football at Marengo Community High School from 2001-2007. Rob then taught biology and microbiology at McHenry County College for the last 15 years, serving as department chair for several of those years. Whether it was a high school student, a new college student, or a returning adult student, he loved sharing his humor, knowledge of odd facts, and love of biology. He was an active member at Zion Lutheran Church and served on the Board of Christian Education for over 10 years. When not in the physical classroom, Rob was always the teacher. He found joy in teaching his wife, sons, and others the fine art of fishing and hunting and proudly never missed an opening day for Wisconsin deer season. His favorite place to be wasn’t found on the water or in the woods, but on the sidelines, cheering on his boys in their various sports.

Rob leaves behind his wife, Becky; sons, Hunter and Rylan; mother, Judy Smith; father’s significant other, Gladys Boushka; half-sister Vicky (Thomas) Overton; siblings-in-law, Jason (Joy) Lower, Aaron (Roberta) Lower and Jonathon (Erin) Lower; and many more loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Smith; grandparents, Robert & Hazel Pomeroy; great uncle Paul and aunt Joyce Pomeroy and their son, Gary Pomeroy.

Memorial services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Marengo. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 4 from 4 pm-8 pm. Funeral service will be Saturday, November 5 at 11 am, with an additional visitation from 10-10:45 am. The service will be streamed from the Zion Lutheran Church in Marengo, IL Facebook page.

Memorial donations may be made to the Rob Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund at McHenry County College to support non-traditional students pursuing careers in science and healthcare. Checks may be made payable to the Friends of MCC Foundation, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012. Donations may also be made online at www.mchenry.edu/donate. Under “designation” there is a drop-down menu. Please select Rob Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, and feel free to leave comments for the family in the comments section.