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BORN
1930
DIED
2018
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Robert Smith Obituary
May 22, 1930 - May 9, 2018
Indpependence, VA- On May 9, 2018, Robert Dean Smith peacefully passed away surrounded by his family. He was 87 years young and born in Pasadena, CA. to the late Marion Coulter and Allen Clyde Smith. He was married to the love of his life, Nancy B. Smith for 63 years until her death in 2014. Bobby graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from NC State in 1954. He served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot and pilot trainer for the KC 135. He served 2 tours in the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable retirement in 1974, he made his home in Independence, VA. In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased in death by his wife, Nancy B. Smith, his sister Ardith Hansen, and his brothers Lloyd and Allen Smith. He is survived by his four children; Cynthia Westmoreland (Bobby) of Warner Robins, GA, Jennifer B. Smith of Fernandina Beach, FL, Micheal D. Smith of Radford, VA and Amanda von Grosse (Kimbray) of Littleton, CO as well as 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank all the caregivers that took such wonderful care of our father as well as the loyal friends that were here to support him. A private military graveside memorial will be held at a later date.
Burial services provided by Reins-Sturdivant of Independence VA
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Smith
5 Entries
Stanley M. Janeski Janeski
May 18, 2020
Thank you for the reminder of the passing of a very dear friend. When searching for property in the Independence area back in 1981, somehow I got linked up with Bobby Smith. A friend for life. Over a 30 plus years of acquaintance, I had many a visit, and many a meal at the Smith house, and many times the Smith's welcomed my scout troop to their home since my tiny cabin would only take so many. We always dropped off the better behaved boys and a leader to stay with them overnight as part of our troop's annual ski trip to Winterplace. I'll never forget how tired and haggard they all looked when we picked them up early the next morning on the way to the ski resort.....only to find out that Bobby kept them up 'til 2 or 3 am watching movies, telling stories, and eating popcorn!
I'll never forget the time I dropped in when Nancy's health began to decline. Bobby and I sat in chairs on the lawn explaining that her memory was beginning to fade. Soon afterward, we smelled something, and 'cool Bobby' went in the kitchen and found spaghetti sauce burning, and another pot of spaghetti boiling over and burning too. Bobby calmly turned off the stove and moved the pots, no problem there, just a little 'bump' along the road in life that he could handle.
At the end of our visit, Bobby made the comment "that woman followed me all over the world in my Air Force career, and now it's my turn to follow and take care of her." That's the real meaning of the words....'in sickness and health, until death do us part.' This was a giant of a man,...and a proud Virginian. I could write pages and pages of our visits over the years.
Mike Janeski
Rock Hill, South Carolina
June 5, 2018
May the God of all comfort sustain your family during the days ahead Psalms 119:76
Larry. &. Nancy Anders
June 5, 2018
So sorry for your loss. May God give you comfort and peace at this time of sadness.
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Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home - Independence44 Dan Walters Dr. P.O. Box 306, Independence, VA 24348
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