Robert Charles Smith

Born in Alamosa, Colorado, Bob was the oldest of five children to Robert Jessie Smith and Alice Eileen Smith (Bollier). He grew up with his siblings Ted Michael Smith, Susan Jane Smith (Kelley), Alan Kent Smith and James Dale Smith.

Robert was a Colorado native and went to Littleton High School where he was known as Bobby. A gifted individual he played baseball, basketball, participated in several clubs, was a member of the National Honor Society, served on student council, chosen for the American Legion award based on scholarship, courage, honor, leadership and service and was Senior Class President for the class of 1956. He would work after school and weekends for his father’s construction company. He spent one year at Colorado State University and finished his education at Western State College in Gunnison Colorado, receiving a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He then moved to California to work for North American Aviation for a short time.

Bob was gifted and talented at many things and one of those things was being a pilot. He joined the US Air Force in November 1962 and attended Officer Training School (OTS) at Lakeland Air Force Base in Texas. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1963. Next, he was onto Vance Air Force Base in Enid Oklahoma where he met his wife, Carole. They were so in love and married on October 3, 1964. He was her rock and she was his soul mate to the very end of their wonderful 61 years of marriage. His military assignment took the two of them to Plattsburgh Air Force Base in New York where Captain Smith flew for Strategic Air Command (SAC) piloting KC135 tanker aircraft in support of B-52 bombers. With an honorable discharge from the military in 1968 he became a commercial pilot with United Airlines and was originally assigned out of JFK in New York. He loved his career and flying was his passion until he retired from United after 30 years in 1998.

Bob and Carole were blessed with two wonderful children, Steven Shawn Smith was born in 1969, with Michelle Marie Smith following four years later in 1973. Bob loved and adored his children and spent a lot of time at all their activities when he wasn’t flying. Family was most important to him, guiding and encouraging them while keeping strong values. Bob loved Colorado and so did his family. He took them skiing almost every weekend, two memorable trips to Hawaii, the Orange Bowl in 1992, fishing on the Blue River and Grand Lake and went hunting with his brothers. Bob became a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church attending faithfully and helping usher until he was no longer able to. In his words, “I am a doer.” He was always willing to help those that needed it.

Bob’s life ended after several months of coordination and memory issues brought on by a fast-growing brain cancer. He was loved and cared for by family to his very end. We all cherish the time God gave us with him before he went to be with the Lord.

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert Smith, Alice Smith and his brothers Mike Smith and Alan Smith. He is survived by his wife, Carole, son Steven Smith (daughter-In-law Emma), daughter Michelle Wingrove (son-in-law Brian and granddaughter Reese), his sister Sue Kelley (brother-in-law James Kelly), brother Jimmy Smith (sister-in-law Cathy, nephew Cody Smith and niece Catie Smith), nephew Alan Smith Jr., nephew Jason Smith and nephew Patrick Smith.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bob may be made to:

American Cancer Society – https://donate.cancer.org

Alzheimer’s Association – https://donorservices.alz.org

A memorial service in celebration of Bob’s wonderful life will be held Friday, January 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Andrew United Methodist Church; 9203 S University Blvd. Highlands Ranch, CO 80126. Reception to follow.

HIGH FLIGHT

By Pilot-Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr. (1941)

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth, Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things,

You have not dreamed of – wheeled and scared and swung, High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung. My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue, I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace. Where never lark, or even eagle flew.

And while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod.The high untrespassed sanctity of space. Put out my hand and touched the face of God.