Robert Lee Smith

Robert Lee Smith, 73, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away February 19th, 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri after a brief illness. He was born to Ella Elizabeth and George Robert Smith in Parsons, Kansas on July 7th, 1939. Bob’s family moved through the mid and southwest and he graduated from Salina, Kansas High School. He then went on to Kansas University, there meeting the light of his life, Sally Ann Ossian. They married in 1960 and both graduated from KU in 1961. Sally taught Special Education in Rochester, NY and Elementary Education in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Bob later graduated from MIT. He worked for Eastman Kodak Company, mostly in the International Division and then retired to the Kansas City area in 1997. He is survived by his wife, Sally, of Overland Park; two sons and families: Stephen and Stephanie Smith, Dacotah and Crosby of Waconia, Minnesota; Kent and Lisa Smith, Nicholas, Simone, and Mitchell of Liberty, Missouri. Bob’s sister, Dr. Elizabeth Babcock, Lenexa, Kansas; Sally’s sister, Barbara and husband Del Williamson and Sara of Wellington, Florida; Elizabeth’s daughter, Lisa and her husband, Mark Bushouse, Megan and Kelly of Overland Park, Kansas also survive. A private family service will be held. Memorials may be sent to the Robert L. Smith Jazz Studies Scholarship, c/o KU School of Music, Murphy Hall, Room 460, 1530 Naismith Drive Lawrence, Kansas 66045-3103. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.