Passed away at the age of 56  after a long battle with cancer.

Played for NAU - 1964-1967

Former Amphi Public Schools Superintendent Robert J. Smith first made a name for himself as a football coach, leading his players to two state championships.

But his dedication to children is what Mr. Smith is remembered for most by former colleagues.

Mr. Smith, 56, died Sunday after battling cancer for months.

“He was particularly adept at working with disadvantaged and at-risk students,” said former Amphi Superintendent Rick Wilson. “He always knew how to relate to those kids.”

“One thing I remember about Bob is, he was always upbeat, and children always came first,” she said.

Mr. Smith retired in 2000 after three of the district’s roughest years.

Wilson said. “I’ve never known a man that cared more and reached out more to at-risk kids.”

Mr. Smith had been junior varsity football coach and guidance counselor at Canyon del Oro High School for a year when Wilson became principal in 1973. In 1976, Mr. Smith was named head football coach. As coach, he started a mandatory study table for players with less than C averages.

“Time after time, he’d stand up and advocate for the kids, particularly those that didn’t fit the mold,” Wilson said.

In his eight years as coach, Mr. Smith led the Dorados to two state championships in four playoff appearances and compiled a 54-29-2 record. He was the Tucson Citizen’s coach of the year twice, and in 1977 was The Arizona Republic’s coach of the year and coached in the Arizona all-star football game.

Cox-Golder noted that, as principal, he turned the then-struggling Amphitheater Junior High School into an A-plus school and helped it become a middle school. Part of his time he also was principal of Prince Elementary School.

After receiving his doctorate in education from the University of Arizona, Mr. Smith became administrative assistant at Cross Middle School. In 1995, he became associate superintendent for curriculum development and implementation. When Wilson retired, many saw Mr. Smith as his heir apparent.

“He wasn’t a run-of-the-mill person,” Wilson said. “He wasn’t the same old, same old.”

Mr. Smith and his wife, Shelley, would have celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary on Christmas. They have a daughter, Rozielle. Shelley Smith taught at CDO for 26 years and retired the same year as her husband.

An open house will be held later. “I know probably the thing he was most proud of was Shelley and Rozi,” Frey said.