Name: Calling hours for Robert Burns "Bob" Smith
Start: 2019-10-17T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-10-17T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home - Worthington

Smith, Robert "Bob" Burns
1929 - 2019
Bob was born February 24, 1929 at home on Kelso Rd. in the Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. He was a 1946 graduate of Columbus North High School and a graduate of The Ohio State University in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Bob began his journalism career in 1944 when he joined the editorial staff of the former Ohio State Journal as a copy boy. He soon became a police reporter, then advanced to general assignment reporter covering City Hall and the city political "beat" before he entered the United States Air Force at the outbreak of the Korean War. Assigned to the 85th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Bob served as a jet fighter pilot and achieved the rank of Captain commanding a flight of all-weather fighter interceptors. Bob returned to the Journal in 1955 and later joined the Columbus Dispatch staff as Assistant City Editor in 1959. He rose through the ranks of the Dispatch Printing Company and eventually was promoted to Editor-in-Chief in 1989. Bob retired from this position in 1996 after serving the company for 52 years. Bob proudly served his community as President of the Ohio Historical Society (1988-1995), Trustee Dawes Arboretum, and Trustee Arthur E. James Cancer Hospital and Research Center. He was a member of the Crestview Presbyterian Church, Associated Press of Ohio, American Society of Newspaper Editors, York Temple Country Club, Masons, Rotary, and many others. Of all these associations, Bobs greatest joy came from his 59-year marriage to Marjorie Ann Otten of Linn Grove, Iowa. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Blanche Smith, wife Marjorie Smith, brother Francis (Margaret) Smith and niece Susan Harkins. Bob was also preceded in death by most of his Iowa family, George and Stella Otten, Bernice (Lyle) Hohbach, Irene (Buck) Johnson, Lloyd (Elaine) Otten, Harold (Shirley) Otten, Carl Miller, Gary Otten. He is survived by his daughter, Lana (Bruce) Smith; son, Craig (Stella) Smith; grandchildren, Colin Smith and Charlotte Smith; great-granddaughter, Taylor Smith; nephews, Steve (Dianne) Smith, Ralph Harkins; and, from Iowa, Jeannette Miller, Carol Otten and many nieces and nephews. Bob loved OSU sporting events, his place on Silver Lake in Iowa, and the many friends and loved ones who shared his broad interests. Bob always had a good story to tell and could easily relate them to others. Bob led a full and rewarding life. He will be truly missed. Calling hours will be held Thursday, October 17, 2019 at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High St., Worthington, from 4-7pm. A service will be held on Friday, October 18, 2019 at the funeral home at 10am. Burial will be at Northlawn Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Charity Newsies or Crestview Presbyterian Church. Thanks go out to the Forum at Knightsbridge and to the doctors and staff at Riverside Hospital for helping make Bob's last weeks and days both enjoyable and peaceful. Condolence may be made to the family at www.rutherfordfuneralhome.com

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Oct. 13 to Oct. 16, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Smith

Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.

7 Entries

Brenda Stewart

October 22, 2019

I always loved going to Uncle Bob and Aunt Marge's lake house when they would come to Iowa in the summer. He had an abundance of patience and always took time for me and my brother.

Jim Crowley

October 16, 2019

Bob Smith took a chance hiring a former reporter with only 3 years experience. I can never thank him enough, so I will focus on his positive influences.
Hiring me as a copy editor both dissuaded me from Dispatch reporting, and enabled me to attend law school at night. Along the way, Bob helped provide a wild ride.
Eventually, I was so bad at copy-editing that I got put in charge of computers and news via dial-up connection in 1981.

Bob helped pioneer the world's first newspaper online. The Dispatch was first among about 18 other major papers recruited by The Associated Press. The New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the San Fransisco Examiner to name a few. From there, computer work became my new journalistic focus.

At some point, Bob volunteered to get onto our newsroom computer system from home. He liked to look at what was "breaking news" downtown.
When he had trouble, I'd drive to his house in north Columbus, and he'd soon be working away again in his pajamas. He likened that early laptop to his fighter plane, calling it "Old Reliable."

There were many other experiences Mr. Smith helped provide: from riding one of Wolfe Enterprises planes to traveling the nation to help look at newsroom computer systems.
I forget just when it was, but Bob also helped me take apart a computer server we'd imported. I forget the circumstances, but there was fear it might contain a bomb. (Way before 9/11).

Bob helped me take it apart; gutsy until you remembered that he left the paper to command fighters over Korea.
"Mr. Smith," as Shari his secretary called him, was an emissary for the Wolfe family with Columbus while the city truly emerged as a national bright star.

Bob's work for what is now the Ohio (History) Connection even included efforts to get pre-Independence Colonists military honors. He seemed game for anything.

I hope God has put him in charge of Iowa - which The Editor truly loved.
Thanks, Bob, for taking the chance on me. ... Doing systems-engineering was way more fun than writing headlines!

Stacey Callahan

October 16, 2019

Lana, Craig and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a great person and boss. I had the pleasure of being hired by him while he was at Ohio Magazine in 1980. I learned alot from him and always enjoyed all his stories.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Stacey (Clarke) Callahan

October 16, 2019

Mr. Smith hired me as a graphic designer for Ohio Magazine in 1986. From day one, he was just the nicest guy to me. Always liked the conversations we had and cared much how I was doing in my personal life. A good man. Period. All righta!

Rudy Melchor

Chris Vehr

October 15, 2019

A wonderful man! He will be missed at The Forum.

Lynn Byington

October 15, 2019

Craig and Stella, I was so saddened to see of your Dad's death. He used to come in to the office years ago and we would discuss his insurance renewal and some times he would stay a little longer and talk about his family. He was a joy!
Lynn

October 14, 2019

Lana ,Craig and families, My sincere sympathy on Bob's passing. Don often talked about the great times they had together as children. Bob had a rich and fulfilled life. While that doesn't diminish the loss you feel, you can take pride in his accomplishments. I am so happy that he and Don had that lunch together. Carol Burns

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