Robert Gordon Smith

Robert Gordon Smith of Glenville, NY died in August at the age of 96. He was the son of Rilla H. and Gerald F. Smith and the stepson of Edward A. Chappell. He was born in Batavia, NY and grew up in Oneonta, NY where he graduated from the Bugbee School and Oneonta High School. Drafted into the Army in 1943, he served with the Fourth Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations during World War II and participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. He was the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and a Citation from the General Council of France. After returning from overseas, he was assigned to be a military policeman with Military Police Co. 1100 in Boston, MA. At the conclusion of his military service, he returned to Oneonta and enrolled at the Oneonta State Teacher's College where he earned B.S. and M.S. degrees. He was also awarded a National Science Foundation Grant as a teacher to study at the University of Rochester. It was at Oneonta State where Bob met a fellow student, Marjorie Seeley, who would be his wife for 63 years after they were married at the Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown, NY in 1955. After graduation, he began his teaching career at the South Kortright Central School and then moved to Scotia, NY to teach at Scotia-Glenville. He and his family moved to Rexford , NY in 1962 but he would continue teaching at Scotia-Glenville until his retirement in 1981. He had a natural gift for teaching and fond memories of many of his students. In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and pursuing his many hobbies. He also had a lifetime love of books and reading which was an indispensable pastime in his later years. He was predeceased by his wife, his brother Richard, and his nephew Shaun. He is survived by his daughter Vicki McCormick; his son-in-law John McCormick; his grandson Ryan McCormick; his son Robert and nieces and nephews. A man of many outstanding qualities and dearly loved by his family, he will be missed for as long as those who were closest to him live. He has been buried at the Oneonta Plains Cemetery. Anyone who wishes to make a charitable donation is his memory is asked to contribute to the Disabled American Veterans.