Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith, 101, of Elkhart, IN passed away the morning of Saturday, May 31, 2025.

He was born March 27, 1924 in Elkhart to the late Russell and Helen (Wagers) Smith.

He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1942 and from Northwestern University (BSME) in Class of 1945. He received a USNR Officer commission after completing Columbia University midshipman school, and served briefly in WWII.

On August 12, 1949, he married Dorothy (Lund) Smith in Elkhart. She passed away in April 2011. He is survived by three sons, Gregory, Anchorage, AK; Douglas (Yolanda), San Antonio, TX; Eric, Fort Wayne, IN; and daughter Barbara (Gary) Outka, Rapid City, SD; as well as a daughter-in-law Cruz, Ingleside, TX; four grandchildren, Amy Marie (Stewart) Wheeler, Prague Czech Republic, Andrew Smith, Ingleside, TX, Ashley (Preacher) Dunbar, Sumter, SC, and Nicholas (Kaley); and great-grandchildren Jasper, Lily, and Kinsley. He was preceded in death by one son, Peter.

He was recalled to active duty 1950-1952 and served in Korean theater as Combat Information Officer on the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., DD850 destroyer, and later as Commanding Officer, USS LSSL 76 which he re-commissioned in Astoria, OR and delivered to the Japanese Government in Yokosuka, Japan as part of their post-war Coast Guard.

Robert retired from Bendix Aviation Corp., and Allied Corp. after 40 years of serving in various Engineering and Marketing positions: Chief Engineer, Aircraft Wheels and Brakes; Chief Engineer Space Structure Mechanics Dept. (consultant to NASA on Moon Landing Systems); Sale Mgr; Director of Marketing, Aircraft Wheels and Brakes.

He loved flying as a hobby, was a Private Pilot for over 65 years, and a member of the Experimental Aircraft Assn. in Elkhart. As a retirement project, in 1991 he purchased a WWII Stearman PT17 biplane (basket case) which he rebuilt (3 years) and flew for an added 11 years. It is still flying at Elkhart Municipal Airport.

A memorial visitation for Robert will be held from 2:00PM to 3:30PM on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home, 403 W Franklin St, Elkhart, IN 46516. A memorial service will follow at 3:30PM.

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