The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBERT EARL ``BOB'' SMITTCAMP
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HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 28, 2021
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert Smittcamp. He passed away on March 4, 2021 after many years of significant contributions to the San Joaquin Valley. Robert was a part of the community, and a dear friend to many.
Robert was born in Fresno, California to Earl and Muriel Smittcamp on May 29, 1941. In 1945, his family purchased the Wawona Ranch from Muriel's father that held 40 acres of peaches. This later was known as the Smittcamp Family Business. Having a father who served in World War II as a marine, Robert was a hard worker along with his siblings, Carol, Betsy, and Bill. By the age of 10, Robert knew how to operate a forklift. When Robert was diagnosed with polio in 1953, he spent months in an iron lung in his parent's living room on the ranch. He developed his faith in God during that time and became an acolyte in his church.
In 1959, Robert graduated with honors from Clovis High School and was involved with FFA where he earned many local and national awards. After graduating from California State University, Fresno in 1964 with a BS in Business-Economics, he and his father, Earl, founded Wawona Frozen Foods. The frozen fruit business thrived in downtown Fresno and in 1965 a freezer plant was built on Alluvia 1 Avenue in Clovis, California. A year later, Robert enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1965 through 1966 driving the Army General to and from military events in San Francisco. He learned cooking tips from the chefs in the kitchen that the General would dine at for his meetings, During his time in the Army Reserve, Robert still enjoyed working alongside his father. Soon after, Janell Robinson entered Robert's life while in the Army Reserves, and in 1966, they married and began their own family in 1968 with son Brent and their daughter Lisa in 1970. Janell gave birth to their second son, Brandon in 1982.
His father, Earl had a big influence on Robert's life. When Earl ran for State Senate, Robert saw another path he could take, with politics. His interest in politics began and he became a wise mentor for many people, but also continued to see himself working in a business. In 1971, Earl and Robert acquired the San Francisco based Lyons-Magnus and decided to move that company to the city of Clovis. Robert served as the President and CEO for over 40 years. They made ice cream toppings, fruit toppings and non-carbonated drink bases. The company became an internationally renowned food manufacturing company. While raising his family, Robert continued to work on the company's growth. In 1983, Lyons-Magnus leased a manufacturing plant in Kentucky, and after two years the company installed and operated the first a septic bottle filler in the United States in Clovis. In 1989, the plant was moved to downtown Fresno. The company worked with companies like Starbucks, McDonalds, Carl's Jr., Dairy Queen, and more.
When Brent grew older, he worked with his father and Grandpa Earl. In 1997, Robert and Brent purchased 160 acres together as the B & B Ranch. They worked on the Wawona Packing Company fanning over 8,000 acres and the ranch. Robert's youngest son, Brandon, shared another one of Robert's passions and got into the restaurant business. Robert assisted him in acquiring The Lime Lite, a Fresno-based restaurant,
In 2015, Robert married Annette and welcomed her sons Michael and Steven into the family. Robert's family grew and so did the companies. In 2017, Robert and Brent decided to sell their companies to the same private equity company and stay on the Board of Directors. Robert, Brent, and Brandon all worked together.
Robert had a strong passion to serve the community. He was on Boards such as the Community Regional Medical Center, Stanford Medical Centers Cardiovascular Institute, St. Agnes Hospital, Board of Governors of California State University, and more. His donations to causes, hospitals, universities, nonprofits and more throughout the San Joaquin Valley were endless. He donated $1 million to help expand a neuroscience program and remodel the intensive care unit at Community Medical Center. He was a donor for political causes and provided student scholarships for the Smittcamp Family Honors College at Fresno State, founded by Earl and Muriel Smittcamp.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Robert Earl ``Bob'' Smittcamp. He was a role model, leader and a friend of mine. His influence will live on in the San Joaquin Valley for years to come.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 112
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