March 11, 1999

Father Robert Smith

Father Smith was born in St. Louis, MO on May 10, 1932. After attending Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis, MO he was ordained for the Diocese of Wichita by Cardinal Ritter on April 6, 1957. As an assistant he served at Andale, Fort Scott, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Independence and St. Therese Parish, Hutchinson. In 1966 he became chaplain at the Reformatory in Hutchinson and lived in residence at St. Theresa Parish and also at Our Lady of Guadalupe where he was assistant pastor. In 1977 he became pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Harper and Sacred Heart Parish in Anthony. His last assignment was to St. Ambrose Parish in Erie along with St. Joseph Parish in South Mound and later with St. Patrick Parish in Walnut. Father Smith was granted a sick leave in 1992 and returned to St. Louis, MO where he died on March 11, 1999. A memorial Mass was celebrated for him in St. Elizabeth Chapel at the Spiritual Life Center on March 25, 1999. Father Smith was buried in St. Peter and St. Paul Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.