Robert Earl Smith

Robert Earl Smith
1919 - 2018
VASSALBORO - Four months shy of the century mark, Vassalboro resident and WWII veteran Robert E. Smith, Sr., died Sept. 8, 2018. His lifetime spanned an innovative century but Bob pointed to the invention of radio as having the most impact, noting, "Before that, no one knew what was happening."
Born in Portland on Jan. 9, 1919, Bob spent most of his childhood in Maine and graduated from Fairfield's Lawrence High School, where he excelled at football. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps, eventually attaining the rank of master sergeant. After a middle ear concern ended his piloting aspirations, Sergeant Smith was assigned to train student pilots utilizing a Link Trainer ( the 1940's version of a simulator).
After the war, Bob earned an accounting degree from a Western North Carolina business college near the hometown of his bride Margaret Brown. In the late 1940's, the Smiths and toddler Sylvia returned to "God's Country," where Bob began a long career with Waterville's Hathaway Shirt Company. He advanced from office manager to become the company's systems manager, following IBM training in the relatively new field of computer science.
A skilled fly fisherman, Bob was asked to serve as guide when top corporate officials visited King and Bartlett Sporting Camps near Eustis, Maine. His five sons benefited from his casting expertise and shared his love of the sport.
Retired at 57, Bob enjoyed summers at the family cottage in Rockwood. His passion was exploring around Moosehead Lake, Grace Pond (named after his mother) and Parlin Pond, where his grandparents once owned and operated the Parlin Pond House. He was known in the family as "Mr. Toad" (after the automobile-infatuated character in The Wind In The Willows) for his joy in bouncing over North Woods lumber roads and over streams in his beloved Ford Bronco.
A widower since losing Margaret in 2007, Bob is survived by Sylvia (Bill) of Littleton, N.H., and sons Robert, Jr. (Caroline) of Winslow, Bruce of Monson, Thomas and Mark of Vassalboro and Brian (Nancy) of Liberty. A memorable grandfather, he will be sorely missed by grandchildren Kyle Nouse (Jennifer) of Littleton, N.H., Nicole Cox (Jamie) of Durham, N.H., Megan Smith of Milford, Moriah Smith of Unity and Danielle and Michaela Smith of Winslow. Sadly, great grandchildren Kailey Smith of California, Lucy and Callan Nouse, Anika and Jacobn Cox and Keelyn Van Gorden will only get to hear about "Mr. Toad's" exciting lumber road excursions. Bob is also survived by his deceased brother Tom's daughter Tammy and Thomas, Jr. (Butch) of N.H. Other survivors include his wife's nephew Allan Frank Olmstead and nieces Molly Smith and Ginny Purcell and cousin David Edwards, all of North Carolina.
A memorial service for Bob will take place Monday, October 8 at 11 a.m. at Rockwood Community Church (the red log chapel on Lake St.).Call 603-832-8367 for details.