Robert A. Smith

Robert A."Joe" Smith, Jr. Avid horse and ox pulling fan Robert A. "Joe" Smith, 65, of March Hill Road, Walpole, died unexpectedly on April 12, 2003. He was born August 2, 1937, in Keene, the son of Robert A. and Minnie (Hill) Smith. He grew up in Keene, graduated from Keene High, nicknamed "The Farmer" (class of 1955). He moved to Walpole where he was a resident for 44 years. He was a dairy farmer and then Road Agent for the Town of Walpole for 29 years. He enjoyed sports and animals. He was a softball umpire, a stock car driver in the late '50's, and followed in his father's wake by driving the oxen at the Old Homestead Play in Swanzey. He enjoyed raising and showing Satin Rabbits. He was the former Horse & Ox Superintendent at Hopkinton Fair, Plymouth Fair, and Cheshire Fair. He also judged horse and ox pulling contests. He was on the Board of Directors of the Cheshire Fair for 32 years. At the Cheshire Fair, he had also been Cattle Superintendent for 5 years, Horse Pulling Superintendent for many years, and a State Fair Director for 20 years. He was a long time member of the Eastern Draft Horse Association. He enjoyed going to agricultural fairs throughout New England, especially to watch the horse and ox pulls. He will be greatly missed by the teamsters and fans alike. Family members include his wife, Sandra (Powell) Smith; two loving daughters, Terry Jo Terrell of Walpole and Tracy Jean Cragin of Effingham; and one very special grandson, Adam Douglas Terrell. Other family members include a brother, Kenneth Smith of Surry, and two sisters Marjorie Rixford of Keene, and Barbara Messer of Westmoreland, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services: There will be no calling hours. A memorial service may be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to his grandson's educational fund, Adam D.Terrell, Connecticut River Bank, P O Box 7, Walpole, NH 03608.