Robert James "R.J." Smith

Many memories will survive. We met for the first time in Aix en Provence at the initiative of Max Falque. You came in early 2000, a weekend at home with Fred, and I discovered a keen ornithologist: RJ disappeared in the woods having observed his first great black woodpeckers and wasn't any more interested in having dinner... A passionate countryside lover having in mind the right approach: private initiative is the best option to protect biodiversity

RJ will be sorely missed, but many memories will live on. This is a pic from Aix-en-Provence, I think 1996? Rick Stroup, Julian Morris, RJ, Roger Bate, Fred Smith, Michael De Alessi.

I feel so blessed and lucky to gotten to share a glimpse of his life through mutual friends. I appreciated his wisdom and ability to take that may be complex and make it understandable. He had a delightful sense of humor and you could not be in RJ presence without feeling his humanity and love. Thank you RJ for enlightening me each time I saw you and your indelible contributions to your passion. Miss you much.

Larger than life, so much knowlege and wit; a friend in Washington and Melbourne for over 40 years. Someone who you never knew how much you'd miss him until he has gone

From former state Rep. Linda Runbeck-
RJ never failed to remember the fresh-caught walleye (by my husband) dinner he enjoyed in our home. He inspired our property rights org here in MN, even touring northern MN with us to decry Rep Oberstar´s CWRA which aimed to place even man-made water impoundments under federal control. He was a great man.

RJ will be missed in the property rights and free maket world. RIP RJ.
Dick Welsh