Robert E. Smith

Robert E. Smith
Robert Emory Smith, (Bob Smith) passed away peacefully at the age of 83. He was born on June 15, 1929 to Emory and Nellie Baxter in Berkley, California. He is preceded in death by his father Emory, his mother Nellie, his sister Margaret Shelley, nephew Guy Shelley, niece Roberta Anderson, and son-in-law Stu Vander Meulen. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Lucy, daughter Mary, 2 sons, Steven Smith, Robert Knop, two nieces, one nephew, 9 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
After graduation from Berkley High School, he joined the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War. With further studies at UCLA he received an Engineering degree and accepted a position at Hughes Aircraft where he met the love of his life Lucy. They were married March 22, 1963. While at Hughes, he was on loan to the Jet Propulsion Laboratories in Pasadena to work on the space program. He was part of the Ranger Program that sent the first space craft to land on the moon. He also worked on space landings on Mars. After 22 years at Hughes, Bob retired in 1989 as Senior Scientist.
Bob and Lucy then moved to Santa Maria in 1995. They joined First Presbyterian Church where they attended for some years, and also joined the senior bowling league which they enjoyed so much. Robert loved to sing and was in the choir of the Presbyterian Church in Redondo Beach for some years. He loved being in the plays they put on and the highlight was always singing the Messiah every Christmas.
After retirement, Bob had so many interests there was never time enough to do everything. He loved wood working and made beautiful furniture for their home. He was a big reader and read books on every subject. He was interested in astronomy and made his own telescope. He was an artist, mostly enjoying drawing cartoons, he loved playing cards, loved airplanes, and conversing on any subject. With his HAM operator's license he was able to contact his son Robert in the middle of the Pacific during a race to Hawaii.
His family and friends will miss him so much. Arrangements are under the care of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary. A gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate Bob's life.