Travis R. Smith

On June 13, 2024, Travis Richard Smith passed away. He was twenty-one years old.

Travis was born on December 2, 2002, to Christopher and Roberta (Krause) Smith in Onalaska, Wisconsin.

At the age of three, Travis started playing hockey, which would become a lifelong passion. Hockey would bring Travis years of camaraderie with his teammates and coaches. He enjoyed both playing with the Onalaska Hilltoppers, and watching professional teams when he had the opportunity. His teammates would say that Travis was the utmost team player and had the gift of making them laugh. Hanging out with the hockey boys was one of his great joys. In addition to hockey, Travis loved to watch the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers.

If Travis didn’t have a hockey stick in is hand, he probably would have a fishing pole. His family would frequently load up the camper and head to a lake somewhere to drop in a line. Fishing, like hockey, became a lifelong pursuit for Travis. In addition to being able to catch the big ones, Travis grew into the role of expert walleye fryer. Anyone enjoying his special recipe considered themselves very lucky. His family frequently went to “The Land,” a family camping and hunting spot where they would spend weekends and vacations fishing and deer hunting with the entire family.

Travis attended Eagle Bluff Elementary School and Onalaska High School. He was a student who was filled with curiosity and wonder, always trying to figure out how things worked. He was an Arrow of Light recipient in Cub Scouts and played baseball and golf in addition to hockey. One of Travis’ proudest achievements was being named the Freddy Extra Effort Award winner, an award given to students to recognize their positive effect on the educational environment. His teacher said this: “Travis is not afraid to ask questions and genuinely wants to understand how the lessons apply to his life outside of high school.”

Playing the tuba in the Onalaska High School Band, Travis enjoyed traveling to parades and being one of the gang. Travis loved music. His interests ranged from country to rap, from classic rock to modern classics, and everything in between. He was always down for some live music, and Jimmy Buffet concerts were just one of the family favorites. If there was a band on stage somewhere, Travis would be in the crowd.

He graduated from Onalaska High School in May of 2021. Like all students at the time, he had to learn to adapt to school and life in a COVID world, missing opportunities to socialize and transition to adulthood with burdens like no generation before him. Proms, sporting events, concerts, and many extracurricular activities were canceled. Teenagers who should have been having the time of their lives were isolated in front of a screen wondering when the world as they knew it would return.

Travis worked at McDonald’s during high school, and for some time after. He was a hard worker, willing to put in the extra effort, and mainly worked the overnight shift. Later he started working at Rocky Rococo as a manager and enrolled in a Robotics program at WWTC. In his first year, he excelled at his studies and made the Dean’s List.

When he was six years old, Travis’ mom, Roberta, was diagnosed with cancer. She would spend the next several years fighting a disease that would take her from everyone who loved her.  Travis’ young life changed forever. He would never see his mother cheering for him at another hockey game. She would never sit nervously beside him while he learned to drive a car. When he would look up in the stands at graduation, she wouldn’t be there. To honor the memory of his mother, Travis joined extended family and friends in the annual Stepping Out in Pink every year since Roberta’s diagnosis.

His father, Chris, made sure hockey would remain a big part of Travis’ life. In his senior year hockey interview, when asked, “Who has influenced your hockey career the most?”, Travis answered, “My dad, because he’s always been there to support me.”

Travis is survived by his father, Christopher Smith of Onalaska, sister Christen Smith (fiancé Keegan Updike) of Onalaska, brother Matt Smith (Sarah Worman) of Bangor, niece Georgia, and maternal grandparents Roger and LuAnn (Veraguth) Krause of West Salem, in addition to several uncles, aunts, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Roberta (Krause) Smith and paternal grandparents Richard and Mary (Krismer) Smith.

Travis was kind, generous, compassionate, and thoughtful. He sought out the vulnerable and befriended them. He was a helper, a loyal friend, a team player, and an all-around good person with a big heart. If you knew Travis, you knew you could count on him. His word was his bond. From a young age he was conditioned to put on a brave face and take on the world the best he could.

Travis’ legacy needs to be one of kindness and healing. He would be the first one to offer help to others. To honor him, practice acts of kindness. Include someone who feels excluded. Reach out to the quiet ones. Do better, every day. We take comfort knowing that Travis is reunited in the loving arms of his mother, but we will miss him immensely.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to the family and sent to Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse, WI 54601.

No family should have to experience the pain of losing a loved one at such an early age. Nothing can bring Travis back. Asking “Are you OK,” and really listening for the true answer is the first step. For anyone needing guidance out of a dark place, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached via phone or text at 988. Above all, be kind to yourself.