Robert L. Bob "Bob" Smith

ROBERT L. "BOB" BOB SMITH was born on February 28, 1929 in Dallas, TX and passed away on January 5, 2005 after a brief illness. He moved to Houston while in the seventh grade and played football for Houston Lamar High School. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1952. At A&M, he established numerous records as a fullback on the Aggie football team. His single game rushing total of 297 yards against SMU in 1950 still stands as the record for Texas A&M football. He was named "Texas Athlete of the Year for 1950" by the Texas Sportswriters Association. Coach Bud Wilkinson of Oklahoma said of Bob: "He leaves me breathless. He may be the greatest runner I've ever seen." Bob was the first Southwest Conference player to run for 1,000 yards in a season (1950). He was elected to the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in November 1969. After graduation from A&M, he served his country as a lieutenant in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning home, he played professional football for the Detroit Lions team that won the 1953 World Championship. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty Lu Smith of Dallas, two sons, Rick Smith and Bart Smith, both of Houston. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 7 at Skillman Church of Christ, 3014 Skillman St., Dallas. A graveside service will be held in Houston at Forest Park Cemetery on Saturday, January 8 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn, Dallas, TX 75219.