Robert V. Smith

Major Smith passed away on February 18, 2016 after a short stay at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor, Maine.

Bob was born on September 12, 1919, the son of Walter F. Smith and Estella Scott Smith. He grew up on Smith's Jersey Farm on the Waterville Rd in Skowhegan (now part of Sappi) with his sister Elizabeth (Betty). He attended the on room schoolhouse on the Waterville Road and graduated from Skowhegan High School/ Bloomfield Academy at the age of sixteen in 1936 where he also lettered in Basketball. Between 1936 and 1942, bob was responsible for the operations of Smith's Jersey Farm, and the dairy operations.

Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp in August of 1942, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army Air Corp, December of 1943. Assigned to the 7th Air Force in the Central Pacific Area, as a bombardier on a B-24 Liberator in the 30th Bomb Group, 392nd Squadron where he completed over 40 combat missions, including a multitude of missions over Iwo Jima.

1st Lt. Smith was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal w/5 Oak Leaf Clusters. Bob was discharged from active duty in October of 1945. Returning home, he continued the dairy operations of the Smith's Jersey Farm delivering dairy products to homes and businesses in Skowhegan and surrounding areas. On the 7th of January 1946, he married Beatrice Ney Suydam of Skowhegan.

Lt Smith joined the Maine Army National Guard in September of 1949 and served in multiple commands and serve positions until February of 1974, when he retired from active service as a Major.

Bob managed to Endicott Johnson Shoe Store in Skowhegan, the shoe department of the Skowhegan W.T. Grant Store, and worked at the Agway Store in Skowhegan until his late seventies. He always enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially on Brassaua Lake, his favorite spot.

Major Smith was predeceased by his wife, Beatrice (Bea), parents, sister Elizabeth (Betty) White, and brother-law Chester (Chet) White, his four brother in-laws and their wives, Chester, Gordon, Harold, and William (Willie) Peace.

He is survived by his stepson Major Richard M. Suydam, retired US Army, and daughter in-law Michele E. Suydam of Ellsworth, two grandsons; Senior Chief Petty Officer Richard Michael Suydam retired USCG, and wife Sandra of Alaska, and Capt. Shaun Robert Suydam and wife Laurie of Maine and Florida. Also surviving are two nieces, Sandra (White) Pierce and her sister Judy both of Canaan, N.H. and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Services will be held in the summer at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of Redington Fairview General Hospital and the staff of the Bangor Maine Veterans Home for Robert's care and comfort in his final days.