Roll Call Tribute

Robert Lee "Bob" Smith, Jr. 

February 17, 1926 - June 22, 2024 

Robert L. Smith, 98, beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Born on February 17, 1926, in Ranger, Texas, Bob enlisted in the Navy shortly after graduating from high school in 1943, serving his country stateside as an aviation metalsmith until after the end of the war. A proud Aggie from the Texas A & M Class of '51, Bob had a long career that spanned railroad work to civil engineering. He spent most of the 1950s working for the Mene Grande Oil Co. in Venezuela, returning with an abundance of colorful stories and a decent knowledge of Spanish, which he continued to study throughout his life. Later, Bob worked for the Federal Aviation Administration in Atlanta for 36 years, until his retirement in 1993, after which he volunteered for many years at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Bob was known as a joyful, adventurous travel companion, whether visiting family in San Saba or exploring Norway with his sister, Betty. He logged countless miles over decades of daily walking, hiked Guadalupe Peak in his 70s, and was, in fact, on his routine morning circuit when he died, with his remarkably vital body, mind, and spirit present to the very end of his life. Bob was a devoted son, a doting uncle to the niece and nephew he treated as his own children, and a dedicated, loving brother to Betty from their childhood through the end of her life four years ago. Bob was an avid reader, a crafty poker player, a crossword maven, a churchgoer, and a generous friend, selfless to a fault. He liked his beer dark, his movies Western, his cobbler blackberry with a double crust. We celebrate his long life; we will miss him always.

Bob will be interred with a small graveside service at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on a date to be announced in the coming weeks.

He is survived by his adoring nephew and niece, Jim and Lee Ann Cox; his great nephew and niece, Bay and Tess Foley-Cox; and many cherished cousins.

In lieu of flowers, a donation made in Bob's honor to Smile Train would be greatly appreciated.