Robert Louis Smith (Bob) was born in Loretto, Michigan on April 10, 1932 to Maurice and Ida Smith (Formerly Ida Tinti). As a young child he moved to Mishawaka, Indiana where he grew up and attended Mishawaka High. Bob joined the U.S. Army in September 1949 and served honorably through January of 1953. While in the army, he was stationed for over two years in the UK and achieved the rank of Corporal and Acting Sergeant. "Corporal Smith" was an instructor of aircraft identification, in the defense of his country and western Europe. Bob often enjoyed recounting his years in the US army and maintained contact with his former army friends until his death. After his Army service, he returned to Mishawaka and worked for the Bendix Corporation (later Allied Signal) from 1953 through 1986. He worked in the Mishawaka missile plant and was a technician on fuel controls for the F-16 fighter plane in the South Bend plant. Bob met his future to be and beloved wife, Donna Mae Schuh, at the Bendix South Bend plant in December of 1953, and the two were happily married on August 2, 1954. Their marriage marked the beginning of beautiful 57 year journey. Together, they grew in love, affection, and companionship, raising a family, and watched their love bloom into a larger family including grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his cherished wife, Donna Mae Smith of Elkhart, his brother Clem (Peggy) Smith of Elkhart, sister Mary (Paul) Muldoon of Mishawaka and was preceded in death by his "baby brother", Donald Smith; also surviving are three children: Linda (Tom) Wolford of Elkhart, Maureen Romig of Elkhart, and Jeffery (Henny) Smith of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; Also surviving are six grandchildren; Brock Santa, Monique Santa, Natalie (Jeff) Parsons, Rory Romig, Andrea Romig, and Ilsa Smith, as well as two great grand children. , Dylan Santa and Madalyn Fisher.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, with interment at a later date in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Bob created, owned and operated his company, Indiana Label and Machine Company from 1969 to 1999, with the motto "Service with a Smile." Indeed, Bob always had a genuine, warm smile for his customers. Bob loved work, but serving his customers, his family, and his fellow man was a greater love, secondary only to his greatest love of all, the love of his wife. Bob was an amateur (HAM) radio operator with the handle K9UYU for more than 50 years. After retirement he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and often treated others to long boat rides up and down the St. Joseph River. In his later years he enjoyed camping with friends and family. Bob had a passion and love for his fellow man and was, in return, loved by many. He will be greatly missed, but remembered in turn with the love he so freely gave to others. Online condolences may be sent to the Smith family at www.chapelhillmemorial.com.


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