Dr. Robert T. Smith, PhD, moved on to his next adventure on March 19, 2024 at Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home, Knoxville TN at the age of 86. He was born May 2, 1937, in Detroit, MI the son of Melvin and Hattie Smith. Robert was an active Boy Scout and earned his Eagle Scout. After his 1955 graduation from Brooklyn High School, MI, he joined the Air Force following in his father’s footsteps.
During Basic Training Robert specialized as a Bomb/Nav Technician, he maintained B-47 Bombers for the Strategic Air Command, he also served as an Electronics Countermeasures Technician. Later he attended the initial Republic Aviation Corporation’s factory course for the Fire Control Weapons Systems “Thunderstick” in F-105D Fighter-Bombers. His Air Force o/s service included assignments to Morocco, Germany, Libya, and Okinawa. In 1964 Robert requested a direct transfer to the Army.
Following Army Basic Training and Advance Airborne Infantry Training, he completed Jump School and volunteered for Special Forces (Green Berets) and completed the qualification course as a Radio Operator. MSG Smith’s Special Forces assignments included 5th Special Forces Group (Abn) twice, 3rd & 6th Special Forces Groups (Abn) and 46th Special Forces Company (Abn). Upon completion of Spanish Language School at DLIWC, Monterey, CA, he served with the 3/7th Special Forces Group (Abn) operating from Panama. Robert was a dedicated fitness advocate believing that all soldiers must be technically proficient and physically “Fit to Fight”. As an avid athlete, he ran across the Isthmus of Panama. With the assistance of his SFOD Team A-11, Robert completed the 52.7 miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific side in 7 hours and forty minutes (a World Record then). In his final SF assignment, he became the first on-campus military instructor to begin building an Army Senior ROTC Program at James Madison University, VA.
MSG Smith’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (4 oak leaf clusters), Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/2 stars, Air Force Longevity Service Award (1 oak leaf cluster), Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksman, Vietnam Service Medal w/60 device, Special Forces “S”, Presidential Unit Citation (1 silver oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Royal Thai Army Parachutist Wings, Royal Thai Army Fourragere, Combat Infantryman Badge and Expert Rifle Badge, together with Senior Parachutist Wings.
Robert retired from the Army in 1978 with nearly 23 years of service. He was a Life member of DAV and the Special Forces Association. Following his Army retirement, he returned to university graduate studies completing MSc and PhD degrees. Robert enjoyed a rewarding career as a University Professor and Human Factors/Ergonomics Engineer in industry, eventually retiring from Honda of America Manufacturing. He served as President of Special Forces Association Chapter XXXIII from 2017 to 2024, D-6761L. Robert was an active and long-serving partner at Northstar Church of Knoxville, TN.
He is survived by his daughters - Rene’ McCormick (Jon) of Fort Collins, CO and Kathleen Smith of Leeds, AL; and sons - Alexander of Marysville, WA; Brian (Krista) of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Charles (Charlene), MD, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada; Daniel, MSG, 2 BN (Infantry), Royal Canadian Regiment, Gagetown CFB, New Brunswick, Canada; and Nicholas (Laura) of Kingston, New Brunswick, Canada; fifteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is survived also by his brothers - Lowell Smith of Tucson, AZ; Timothy Milne (Kathy) of Livonia MI; Melvin Smith (Antoinette) of Fayetteville, NC; and Michael Smith (Alicia) of Fife Lake, MI. He is also survived by his sisters Kathleen Tertzag of Birmingham Hills, MI; Barbara Bushaw of Port Huron, MI; Bette Jo (Pat) Miljour of Gwinn, MI; and Lisa (Ray) Johnson of Skandia, MI.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his dear stepmother Henrietta, his beloved wife Pamela, and his younger brothers - Christopher Milne and Kevin Smith, and sisters - Josephine Wakefield and Cindy Harmon.
A Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 beginning at 11:30 am at the Northstar Church South Campus, 1204 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN. Interment will follow at 2:00 pm at the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery of Knoxville, TN.
The family request that in lieu of flowers you make a donation to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.berryfuneralhome.com.
