Bob died peacefully at home February 5, 2020 at the age of 77, losing his battle with metastatic throat cancer. Born October 16, 1942 in North Island, he graduated from Crawford HS in 1960, went on to SDSU and graduated in 1970 from UCSD with a PhD in Math. He spent his entire career at the Navy Lab in Pt Loma at first doing math modeling then moving on to something he loved more “building big systems and taking them to sea” as he described his management of the towed array sonar surveillance system programs, culminating in LFA being introduced into the fleet on its own class of ship.
A hunter most of his life, after retiring in 1995, he took up bird hunting and acquired the first of his four beloved hunting dogs. He subsequently became active in and took on leadership roles in the San Diego Chapter of NAVHDA, the San Diego County Wildlife Federation, the Jr. Pheasant Hunt, and the San Diego Chapter of the Safari Club. He believed in and worked tirelessly until his death for the preservation of hunting rights and conservation of wildlife, and to expand interest in hunting, shooting sports and wildlife conservation.
He loved being outdoors, whether hunting, training his dogs, camping, hiking, or just viewing wildlife. When he wasn’t doing something outdoors or working on a project for one of the many organizations he belonged to, he would relax by spending time at his cabin in the Northern Sierras, walking the dogs, working on computer programs for his simulated vintage computer, watching movies, or visiting with friends.
He approached his death like he did most things in his life – rationally and with dignity. He said “I have had a good 77 years with no regrets.”
He was very much loved and respected by his family and many friends, and by those who had the privilege of working with him. He will be missed by so many
Bob was preceded in death by his son Aaron, and is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jacqueline, two sons Robert Jr. and Spencer (Christina), grandson Robert III, step-grandson Jarrett, step-great-granddaughter Natalia, and sister Patti, all of San Diego, and his brother Barry (Barbara) of Sparks, NV.
Memorial gifts can be made to St Vincent de Paul, any hunting or wildlife conservation fund, or to the Robert Smith Adventure Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) scholarship fund - mailing a check or money order made out to "San Diego County Wildlife Federation" with "R. Smith AWLS Scholarship Fund" in the memo line to:
San Diego County Wildlife Federation
P.O. Box 3886
Ramona, CA. 92065
ATTN: R. Smith AWLS Scholarship
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday March 8, at 1 PM at the Thursday Club, 1224 Santa Barbara St., in Pt Loma.