Robert E. Smith's Obituary
Robert Edward "Bob" Smith died peacefully in Seaford, Delaware on December 14, 2022. He was born in 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri to Mary June Staples Capps and Frank Dadswell Smith, joining his older brother David. They lived in Kansas City for many years.
After high school, Bob went to Yale University on a full scholarship where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in English. While there he met the love of his life, Ellen Ann Campbell, who was studying nursing at Yale New Haven hospital. Bob moved around a bit while he earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Oberlin. Bob and Ellen were married in 1966. They settled in the St. Louis area and added their three children Mark, Kent, and Laura. During his time in St Louis Bob started a PhD in Education Administration at Washington University in St. Louis which was completed after moving to New Jersey.
Bob taught English, and later was a Middle School Principal in University City, MO. He and the family later moved to Tenafly NJ where he was the Middle School Principal. He then became the school superintendent in Wood-Ridge, and Rumson-Fair Haven NJ from which he retired. In retirement he served several districts in NJ as an Interim School Superintendent. During this time he and Ellen and Laura moved to Toms River NJ and Bridgeville DE before reaching their current home in Seaford DE.
Bob was very involved in the churches that he attended, in the Methodist and Presbyterian denominations. He was ordained as a Deacon and Elder in the Presbyterian church and served numerous committee leadership roles in all of the churches that he attended. He was also very focused on service to the community, including his work with Habitat for Humanity in the Jersey Shore area after Hurricane Sandy. And while his children were growing up he coached several of their teams in several sports, including briefly coaching US Men's National Team coach Gregg Berhalter as a young child.
Bob was also an author in his later years, and his first book "Frog Gig" was published and is available on Amazon.
Bob achieved a lifelong goal when he was a balloon handler in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in 2017.
Bob is survived by his wife Ellen, his sons Mark (Carolyn) of Hamilton NJ, Kent (Jennifer) of Apex NC, his daughter Laura of Bridgeville DE, his brother David (Patricia), his brother-in-law Frank, niece Jane, and grandniece Janell. He was predeceased by his parents and his nephew Richard.
Bob is being cremated privately, and a Memorial Service is being planned sometime after the New Year at Manor House, Seaford DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Parkinson Disease Association at P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306 or on their website at https://apdaparkinson.org/
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?