Robert E. (Bob) Smith went to be with the Lord on April 2, 2007 at 81 years of age after a valiant ten year battle with lung cancer, followed by a series of other complications. He is predeceased by his parents, Frank and Nora Smith; his wife and young daughter, Mary Jo and Sandra Elaine Smith, his brother, Frank Smith, and sister, Mae Hahn.
He is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Eleanor Inman Smith of Houston, Texas; one son, Robert Andrew "Andy" Smith of Austin, Texas; two brothers-in-law, Charles Inman and his wife, Helen, of Macon, and Joe Inman of Atlanta; nieces, Judy Hested of Story City, Iowa, Linda Smith of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Dana Inman of Atlanta; nephews, Edmund Inman of Macon, Mike Inman of Miami, Florida, and Steve Inman of Atlanta.
Born in Tifton on September 17, 1925, Bob attended Tifton High School, Abraham Baldwin College and received his degree in Engineering from The University of Georgia. He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Pacific on the Destroyer Escort Samuel F. Miles, engaging in many battles where good friends were killed. He and Eleanor enjoyed attending reunions of this group annually.
Bob worked for the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Interior in Georgia and then transferred to Houston to head the Houston office. While in Houston, the Houston office grew in size and scope. His work included the Surface Water, Ground Water and Quality Water divisions, working with the flooding situations in Houston, the subsidence in Clear Lake and the quality of the water in the area. Galveston Bay, Rockport and east Texas were all a part of his work. His USGS friends and co-workers remained important friends until his death. As a part of his work, he was a member of the Houston Society of Professional Engineers, the Flood Control Committee of the Houston Chamber of Commerce and was a registered Professional Engineer. When he retired from the USGS, he taught math at Milby High School for a number of years.
Bob was active in the First Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, serving in many capacities. He is a Lifetime Member of the Administrative Board, served as President and many other offices of the Adelphi Sunday School Class, where many of his closest friends are members. His wit and joke telling ability gave him many opportunities to serve as Master of Ceremonies at church functions. He has been active in the University of Georgia Alumni Society and he and Eleanor went to many Georgia Bowl games in their Georgia decorated van. One of his favorite activities was boat riding in “The Party Dawg”, taking friends for rides in the Houston Ship Channel, Clear Lake, Galveston, Rockport and the surrounding area. Being familiar with all of this water area from his USGS work, these could be quite educational but fun trips. He was known to have his fishing tackle with him and fish in these well known lakes, streams and gulf waters.
Music was another of his top priorites, always present when Andy was playing while at Fondren Junior High, Bellaire High School and particularly all of the different bands he participated in at The School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Andy’s friends practiced with small groups at his home on a regular basis.
Most of all, Bob enjoyed just doing things for others on a one-to-one basis, helping dads on Christmas Eve to put bikes together, helping a neighbor who had a problem with a lawn mower or a car, helping teens learn to drive whose parents were too uptight to do it. When Eleanor was consulting on weddings, many times he cleaned up the van and delivered the wedding dresses to the church, or helped a science fair student make or repair a project part. He and Eleanor enjoyed their “honorary” grandchildren visiting and attending some of their special events.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church, 1320 Main St., in downtown Houston, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall, hosted by the Adelphi Class. For those wishing to do so, memorials may be made to the Eleanor I. Smith Scholarship Fund at Bellaire High School, 5100 Maple, Bellaire, TX 77401; the Adelphi Scholarship, First Methodist; First Choice Ministries, First Methodist or any of the other areas of First Methodist Church, 1320 Main St., Houston, TX 77002.