Robert Freeman Smith

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]

Smith with George H. W. Bush in 1988

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]

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]

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Appearances on C-SPAN