CVR Member Robert Smith

A Man For All Seasons

"I don't find happiness in stuff, I find it in being  of service to others whether it is in the community or in a different country. Most stuff is a temporary fix," says CVR member Robert Smith.

And, he should know.  For the past 10 years, Bob has traveled to Honduras on mission trips with his church to help that area which was torn apart by Hurricane Mitch.  Each year, Bob spends 11 days in Honduras and, with the mission team, has: built latrines, built small chapels, worked in orphanages, and built water purification systems.  These systems are essential in preventing disease.

Bob has lived in Brecksville his whole life.  He is married to Lisa, a "soon to be retired" 8th grade math teacher.  The Smiths have three grown children, Emily, who also lives in Brecksville, Hannah, who lives in Toledo and Abram who lives in Brecksville.  The Smiths also have two grandchildren.

Bob graduated from Brecksville-Broadview Hts high and has been a concrete finisher for 35 years.  Bob has been a member of St. Basil's since it opened its doors.  He is a Republican because of what our party stands for, "smaller government, morals and freedom of religion."

A recovering Democrat, he clearly sees that the Obama administration is taking us down a path to socialism.  "Democrats say they are for the working class, but that is a facade."  He goes on to quote Allen West, "Democrats make people enslaved to the government."

Smith lost his parents early in life, but that just gave him more resolve to work hard.  He believes in our capitalist system, "Has a poor guy ever given you a job?"

Since becoming politically aware in the last 10 years, he is flabbergasted that more people don't want to talk about the issues that are going on in this country.  "We have gone from a country of strong individuals to a country of moral relativism.  How did we get here?"

He wonders if people in America just haven't seem enough hardship, which has contributed to complacency.  If more people had seen what he has seen in place like Honduras, maybe they would appreciate our country more.

That is why Bob sees that his conservative values and his charitable work go hand in hand.  And, that is why he is a member of CVR and gives so much of himself to help others in need.