Robin Christopher Smith

Robin Christopher Smith, age 65, of Cortlandt Manor, NY passed away on 9 September 2025 after suffering an unexpected heart attack while on a bike ride, one of his favorite pastimes.

Robin was born on 24 October 1959 to Felicity Ann and Frederick Roland Clifford Smith in Ispwich, England. He attended Old Buckenham Hall School until age 13, followed by The Oundle School, before attending King’s College London where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology. Robin then went on to obtain his PhD in Cell Biology/Biochemistry at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge.

Robin enjoyed fruitful career, primarily in academic publishing, first working at Bloomsbury Publishing, followed by years at Cambridge University Press, Springer, and Columbia University Press. Beginning in February 2025, Robin was enjoying a well-earned retirement after 17 years at The Curry Rockefeller Group where he was the Vice President and Group Scientific Director.

In 1991, Robin relocated to the United States where he met Alice Lu who was working at Cambridge University Press in New York City. Robin and Alice married in August of 1997, and went on to have two children, beloved daughter Claire and cherished son Oliver.

Robin was a man of many talents. He was rarely seen without his camera. His love of photography led him to many interesting places and new experiences, as can be seen through his vast photo library. Friends and family were always the happy recipients of his amazing photographic skills. Robin was a brilliant guitar player, finding community and jamming with other talented musicians in friends’ basements and local bars. Robin loved to be outside, never refusing a hike, walk or bike ride – especially one with a view! At home, he spent hours in the yard – his garden was an ongoing labor of love at the house he shared with his family for 21 years.

Robin is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Alice; his children Claire and Oliver Smith; his brother Nicholas Smith and sister-in-law Christine Smith, and niece Harriet Smith. He is predeceased by his parents, and Aunt Gladys.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home, located at 41 Grand Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY, 10520, United States. The service is scheduled for 20 September 2025, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Robin’s family requests donations be made in his name to Feeding Westchester (https://feedingwestchester.org/).