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Capt. Robert R. "Bob" Smith, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. Memorial service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Stonebriar Community Church, Frisco. A brunch reception will follow. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's memory to EAA Young Eagles (an organization that inspires young people to fly), Box 3086, Oshkosh, Wis. 54903; or Stonebriar Community Church Benevolence Fund, 4801 Legendary Drive, Frisco, Texas 75034. Born Dec. 11, 1936, to Robert R. Smith Sr. and Blanche Jones Smith, Bob grew up in Fort Worth. His passion was flying, and at the age of 16 he had obtained his private license and at 17 his instructor's license. After graduating from Arlington Heights High School in 1955, he attended Texas A&M University and worked as a flight instructor for Graham Aviation in San Marcus. In 1958 he was accepted into the U.S. Air Force Pilot Cadet Program. The same year he received his commission and his wings, he married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Daughety. He was first assigned to the 15th Fighter Squadron in Tucson, Ariz., and later was assigned to the 18th Fighter Squadron in Grand Forks, N.D. In 1965, he joined American Airlines and rose to the rank of captain in seven short years. During his tenure at American, he flew 11 different types of aircraft and served as check airman for six different types of aircraft. He retired after 32 years with the company, but he was not ready to leave the cockpit. He went to work with Flexjet-Bombardier and continued to fly for seven more years before retiring a second time after logging more than 21,000 hours. In addition to his stellar flying career, he was an avid tennis player and loved fishing, golf and taking his family on trips. Bob was bigger than life and his absence will be sorely missed. He took great pride in his family. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Griswold Home Care, Faith Presbyterian Hospice and Sunrise Senior Living of Plano whose dedicated caregivers made his last days beautiful. Survivors: His loving wife of 54 years, Ginny; daughters, Melinda Lennington and husband, Tim, and Shannon Sharp and husband, Trent; and grandchildren, Jonathan and Lindsay Lennington, and Jackson, Caroline and Landon Sharp.
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I had the pleasure of working with Bob at Flexjet. Please accept my deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Debra Cornett
November 25, 2013
Always enjoyed flying with Bob and often spending either Thanksgiving or Christmas at his house with Ginny and the family. Learned a lot from him and still miss him. Fellow pilot and QB.
Joe Abrahamson
November 24, 2013
I remember when I hired you at Flexjet-Bombardier your daughter said that she didn't know who was happier, you or Ginny. You were the finest! There aren't many like you. God's speed.
Till we meet again.
Jonathan Walegir
November 24, 2013
What a fine man both in and out of the cockpit, I'm at American now and flew the Learjet 60 at Flexjet. This man was there for you if you needed help training talk money I've seen him do it all ,what a loss.
Sam Daniels Dallas Tx
Sam Daniels
November 22, 2013
R.I.P. Bob. Enjoyed flying with you.
Tim Page
November 22, 2013
I had the privilege of flying the MD-11 as Bob's copilot. He demanded my best and led by example. He made you better by his own excellence. He was a rare man, a rare 'bird'.
Michael Moore
LAX 777 Captain
Michael Moore
November 21, 2013
Have a smooth flight West my good friend.
Fellow Aggie, pilot, and QB,
John Campbell
John Campbell
November 21, 2013
I had the pleasure of knowing Bob,Ginny, Shannon and Melinda. They are a wonderful Christian family. Years ago I played tennis with Bob regurlarly at Inwood Racquet Club. I have fond memories of their family. I bet Bob is in Heaven today looking for a tennis game
Leroy Howard
November 21, 2013
Bob and I went to rival high schools in Ft Worth together knowing some of the same friends and then to A&M. He went to the Air Force and I chose the NavCads. We arrived at American about the same time. He was a great guy to work with, I will miss the verve, vitalty and getter done attitude that Bob approached everything. RIP my friend and fly on .
Capt Reb Stimson, AA (Ret)
November 21, 2013
I had the distinct pleasure to fly with Bob at Flexjet. His knowledge and professionalism were exceptional! I enjoyed knowing Bob and having the honor to fly with him and learn from him. I flew my first Atlantic crossing with Bob in 2000 and learned so much from him. Bob will be missed by so many whose lives he touched.
Chris Hettenbach
November 21, 2013
We were very sad to hear of Bob's passing. He was highly respected by all who knew him and flew with him at American Airlines. When developing the B-747SP training program, he was an inspiring leader to those of us who worked under him. At mandatory retirement age, he was not at all ready to retire, and he carried his skills and enthusiasm into other aviation pursuits. Bob always conveyed a public image of the ideal airline captain, and he leaves an enviable legacy.
Tom Sams
November 21, 2013
Bob was a truly dedicated hard working professional pilot. It was my pleasure to work with Bob on many different aircraft in the flight training department. Bob cannot be replaced in today's Airline Industry. Rodger Jackson
November 20, 2013
Bob and I were friends since the fifth grade at South Hi Mount Elementary School. He and I won the City Doubles Championship Tennis tournament in the ninth grade at Stripling Junior Hi School. He was by far the better player. What a great guy. He will be sorely missed.
Bob James
November 20, 2013
Bob was the very definition of a professional aviator. He was an excellent Captain, a super Check Airman, and did a great job running the 727 program as the Fleet Manager. He loved flying and was very good at it, as with most things he did.
Joe Lanza
November 20, 2013
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