Robert Freeman Smith
Robert Freeman Smith (June 16, 1931 – September 21, 2020), commonly known as Bob Smith, was an American Republican politician who represented Oregon in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995 and from 1997 to 1999.
Robert Freeman Smith | |
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Chair of the House Agriculture Committee | |
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 1999 | |
Preceded by | Pat Roberts |
Succeeded by | Larry Combest |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 2nd district | |
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 1999 | |
Preceded by | Wes Cooley |
Succeeded by | Greg Walden |
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1995 | |
Preceded by | Denny Smith |
Succeeded by | Wes Cooley |
52nd Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
In office 1969–1973 | |
Preceded by | F. F. Montgomery |
Succeeded by | Richard O. Eymann |
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 26th district | |
In office 1961–1973 | |
Preceded by | Clinton P. Haight, Jr. |
Succeeded by | Denny Jones |
Personal details | |
Born | Portland, Oregon, U.S. | June 16, 1931
Died | September 21, 2020 89) Medford, Oregon, U.S. | (aged
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Kaye Elizabeth Tomlinson
(m. 1966) |
Education | Willamette University (BS) |
Early life and education
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and grew up in Burns, Oregon. His father, Benjamin F. Smith, was a doctor.[1] He attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, graduating in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture. He worked as a rancher until his election to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1960.[2]
Career
![](../I/Vice_President_Bush_in_Medford%252C_Oregon_(18962126024).jpg.webp)
Smith served in the state House until he retired in 1972 to return to his ranch. He was Speaker of the House for the 1969 and 1971 sessions.[3] Between 1965 and 1969, Smith was the president of the Oregon Public Land Commission.[2]
Smith was a United States Congressman from Oregon's 2nd congressional district from 1983 to 1995. After a brief retirement, he returned to Congress in 1997.[2] Wes Cooley, the Republican who had succeeded Smith in the House, had been caught in several lies about his military service and Smith was persuaded to come out of retirement.[4] Upon his return, he was elected chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, but only served one term before retiring for good.[2]
Personal life
On February 19, 1966, Smith married Kaye Elizabeth Tomlinson in Salem.[1] Her father was the clerk of Marion County.[5] The wedding was attended by F. F. Montgomery, the Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, among others.[1] By January 1971, Smith and his wife had two sons and a daughter.[5]
Car accident
On February 8, 2016, Smith struck and killed a pedestrian while driving in Medford, Oregon. The pedestrian was in the crosswalk when Smith hit him with his car and he later died at the scene. Smith did not flee the scene, was cooperative with investigators, and was determined to not be under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the accident. No charges or citations were filed against him regarding the accident.[6]
Death
Smith died on September 21, 2020, in Medford, Oregon at the age of 89.[7]
References
- "Kaye Tomlinson and Robert F. Smith Wed at Church Nuptials". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon. February 20, 1966. p. 17. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- "SMITH, Robert Freeman | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". history.house.gov. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- Oregon Blue Book: Earliest Authorities in Oregon - Speakers of the House of Representatives of Oregon. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on June 9, 2008.
- Fattig, Paul (March 1998). "Former congressman, felon Cooley may run for office again". Mail Tribune. Medford, Oregon.
- Maudlin, Gene (January 28, 1971). "House Speaker Smith Not Conservative or Liberal". The Capital Journal. p. 23. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- Jaquiss, Nigel (February 9, 2016). "Former Oregon Congressman Bob Smith Fatally Injured a Pedestrian". Willamette Week. Retrieved July 3, 2019.; "Former U.S. Rep. Bob Smith kills pedestrian in Medford". The Oregonian. February 9, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- Ramakrishnan, Jayati (September 21, 2020). "Former Oregon Congressman Bob Smith Dies at 89". OregonLive.com. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
External links
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by Denny Smith |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 2nd congressional district 1983–1995 |
Succeeded by Wes Cooley |
Preceded by Wes Cooley |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 2nd congressional district 1997–1999 |
Succeeded by Greg Walden |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Pat Roberts Kansas |
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee 1997–1999 |
Succeeded by Larry Combest Texas |