Longtime Valley businessman, Community Medical philanthropist Bob Smittcamp dies
Bob Smittcamp, a prominent Fresno-area businessman who made sizable donations that benefited the central San Joaquin Valley, died Thursday.
He was 79 years old.
Smittcamp was co-owner of Wawona Packing Company, and the former chairman and CEO of the international food and beverage manufacturing company Lyon Magnus.
He also was a prominent philanthropist who sought ways to improve the Valley.
Smittcamp donated $10 million to advance neurosciences at Community Medical Centers in 2018 with the hope to recruit more talented neurosurgeons in the Valley.
Smittcamp also provided philanthropic gifts to his alma mater Fresno State, where he received a degree in business administration in 1963.
“Bob gave millions upon millions of dollars to our community quietly, never seeking public attention for his generosity, which is a trademark of the Smittcamp family,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said in a tweet. “He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”
Katie Zenovich, Senior Vice President & Chief Fund Development Officer Community Medical Centers Health System, said she was devastated to learn of Smittcamp’s passing.
“He was an amazing person and good friend,” Zenovich said. “Many organizations in our region, and none more than Community, have benefited from his generous contributions.”
Fresno State’s Smittcamp Family Honors College is named in honor of the family, but especially Bob’s parents, the late Earl and Muriel.
The family provided an initial donation of $1 million that helped establish the honors college in 1997, and has annually provided students scholarships for the Smittcamp Family Honors College.
The Smittcamp family also was the lead donor for the Smittcamp Alumni House at Fresno State, which opened its doors in March 2000.
“Bob was a loyal supporter of Fresno State, who believed in our university’s unique power to transform the lives of talented students,” Fresno State interim President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said in a statement. “Indeed, his loyalty to Fresno State was based on his core values — deep love of family, hard work to further our economy and pride in belonging to this fertile Fresno region.”
In addition, Smittcamp made countless political donations, often to candidates of the Republican Party.
But he also supported Democrat candidates on occasion, including U.S. Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno.
“I worked with Bob Smittcamp over the years and knew him well,” Costa said. “Bob was enthusiastic about the things that he cared about — his family, California agriculture, and his alma mater Fresno State.
“Bob’s leadership skills and business sense were respected by those who knew him. In a life well-lived, he made a difference and will be missed. May he rest In peace.”
Added state Sen. Andreas Borgeas, R-Fresno: “Bob Smittcamp was a titan and pillar of this community. He devoted his life to giving back to the causes that improved the lives of Valley residents.”
Fresno County District Attorney Lisa A. Smittcamp shared how a conversation with her father-in-law gave her the motivation and courage to run for the office in 2014.
“When I told him I didn’t care for politics, he said, ‘Get over it! If you want to change things, then get on your horse and get in the rodeo!’” Lisa Smittcamp said. “He was the strongest, hardest-working man I’ve ever known. He taught us all so much about life, local politics, philanthropy and how important it is to give back to the community.”
Lisa Smittcamp said her father-in-law was happiest when around family, cooking holiday meals, planting vegetable gardens and sharing historical stories with his grandchildren or watching them play sports.
“Our family will never be the same without him,” Lisa Smittcamp said. “We will strive everyday to continue the amazing legacy he left.”
Smittcamp is survived by his wife Annette, sons Brent and Brandon, daughter Lisa Goeas and stepsons Michael and Steven Ruocco, along with five grandchildren.
This story was originally published March 4, 2021 at 6:22 PM.