Galyn "Cob" Smith, 57, of Fertile, MN died on Friday, September 3, 2010, at the St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester MN. Cob was born on September 28, 1952, in Fort Worth, TX, to Lyle Schumacher and Gladys (Wastweet) Smith. He was adopted by his dad, Ralph Smith, in 1961. Cob attended elementary school until 3rd grade in Fertile and Gary, MN. He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School, Bloomington, MN, in 1970. Over the years, Cob spent most summers in the Fertile area with relatives, especially his aunt and uncle, Elda and Walter Ranz. A year after graduation, Cob entered the United States Army serving in Hawaii. He was honorably discharged and returned to Horace, ND, to farm with Ralph.
Cob met Cindy on a blind date, which she said afterwards, that he was a big jerk. However, he put on the charm and asked Cindy to marry him in 1974. Boating over a flooded driveway, and walking down the "aisle" in their bare feet, July 6, 1975, Cob was united in marriage to Cynthia Mitchell. He called the wedding, "Entertainment at its finest." They moved to Ada, MN in 1979, where Cob worked for Lynn Johnson as a farm laborer. They had three children. Their son, Tyrel, died in a car accident on March 26, 2000. They moved to rural Fertile in August of 2000. Cob finally felt like he was home.
Cob was employed at the Fertile-Beltrami School District as a para-professional, a bus driver, summer recreation director, and whatever else he could do. He had commented that he found his real passion for life in the school setting. Working with Norma Hoppe in a special education classroom brought fulfillment to Cob. He was involved with wrestling and football for many years, as mentor, coach, ball boy, and anything else he could. He chaperoned many school activities, including school dances, and was always present on the school grounds. Despite his inability to work, Cob remained Vice-President of the Wrestling Club. Cob has always enjoyed working with children. In Ada, he was president of "They're Friends", a Big Brother/Big Sister Program. Cob was a mentor and friend to little brother, Aaron Tucker. "I like being there for these kids. It's important that everyone have a place to be, where they feel welcome." Cob and Cindy lived by the philosophy: There's always room for one more.
Cob was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer in 1993 and went through chemo and radiation. Cob's heart was damaged during radiation treatments. In 2006, he was told that his heart was failing and he would need a transplant. In January, 2010, Cob had an LVAD inserted that put him higher on the transplant list and improved his quality of life. Monday, August 30, 2010, Cob was called at 5:45 AM saying they had a donor match and to get to Rochester. During a difficult 12 hour surgery Monday, August 30th, Cob suffered from a massive stroke. He was placed on life support, Cob passed away when machines were removed on Friday, September 3.

Cob lived life to the fullest. He was, "living life, having fun and pestering the good folks of Fertile." Cob treated everyone equally. His gruff mannerism at times masked his tender, compassionate heart, especially for those who were less fortunate. Cob would say, "I guess I am a bit rough around the edges." Cob had an innate ability to build and fix things that came naturally to him. He loved fishing, hunting, and being outdoors. In his last article to the Fertile Journal he wrote, "I think a lake in Canada is signaling me through my electronic gear." Cob got to go to Canada and returned home recently. Cob loved children, especially his grandchildren. He was a great storyteller and they gave him plenty of new material to use. "Never a dull moment in this house."
Cob was survived by his wife, Cindy, Fertile; two daughters, Jacque (Jim) Flynn, Fertile, and Katie Tadych, East Grand Forks, ND; three grandchildren: Alexander Smith, JT "Buck" Flynn, and Jenna Flynn. Dallas Mell, Erik Flynn, Janette Ortiz, and Rosita Ortiz. Special friends: Bob Thorson, Fertile and Derrick Duckstad, Crookston. His mother, Gladys Smith, Fertile; one brother, Steven (Kristin) Smith, Des Moines, IA; one sister, Kandy Heiman, Minneapolis, MN; several aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Ralph Smith; his son, Tyrel; his aunt, Elda Ranz; and his uncle, Walter Ranz. "I can see me forgetting someone and I would feel like a dunce again." If we forgot anyone, we are truly sorry. Cob had many family and friends. "Friends are a wonderful thing to have."
Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, from 4-7 PM, in the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home, Fertile, MN.
Funeral services will be held at the Fertile-Beltrami School Gym, Fertile, MN on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at 5 PM. Coffee will be served in the cafeteria following the service.
Burial will be in the Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
We thought about writing this like one of Cob's articles. The last one sort of thing, but when we sat down to write something we realized that it was impossible. No one can think like that man could. "My nine-year-old (now ten) grandson said, "It's a Cobbie thing."
Yo, paramedics, I won't be back.