Robert "Bob" Eugene Smith

Bob was a kind, generous, and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor.

Bob was born December 18, 1935, to Dan and Fannie Smith in Washington, NC. He attended Duke University on an ROTC scholarship where, in addition to his studies, he served on the Junior Class Council, sang in the Choir and Duke Men's Glee Club (including an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show), was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma, made lifelong friends, and honed his tennis skills. After graduating in 1958, he served as an Officer in the United States Marines, spending most of his service time at Camp Lejeune, Quantico, and Camp Pendleton. After retiring from active duty, Bob enrolled in law school, graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1965. Bob moved to Raleigh to begin his law career and met Barbara Proctor, a fellow Duke graduate, through mutual friends. Bob and Barbara enjoyed a 58-year marriage that included the rare ability to work together for almost 20 years.

Bob's legal career focused on insurance defense litigation, and he enjoyed long working relationships with Nationwide and Allstate. After practicing more than a decade with Boyce, Mitchell, Burns & Smith, Bob opened his own law office in the mid-1980s and remained active until fully retiring in 2017. For a few years, he was also with Broughton, Wilkins, Smith, Sugg & Thompson. He was a member of the Wake County Bar Association for more than 50 years and deeply valued his connections to other legal professionals, particularly the “Senior Survivors” group, who met regularly for fellowship over lunch. Bob also supported friends, neighbors, and family with wills, estates, and other legal matters whenever they needed assistance. Bob served on the Board of Trustees for The United Methodist Retirement Homes and volunteered with Hospice of Wake County and Legal Aid of North Carolina.

While there are many things Bob loved to do outside of work and spending time with family and friends, three things topped the list: playing and watching a variety of sports (particularly tennis), singing as part of a choir and as a soloist, and finishing each day with a sweet treat that almost always included a bowl of ice cream. He had a warm smile, a heart for service to others, and a competitive spirit that he brought to his profession and his athletic pursuits. As a member of Highland United Methodist Church and then Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, Bob enjoyed fellowship and volunteering with the Methodist Men's groups and singing in the choirs. Bob valued the Wednesday morning “Early Bird” men’s breakfast at First Presbyterian Church, which he attended regularly for more than thirty years. In 2020, Bob and Barbara moved from Raleigh to River Landing Retirement Community in the Triad, where they've made wonderful friends and Bob enjoyed a happy and active life.

There will be an irreplaceable void in the lives of those blessed to know and love Bob Smith. He led quietly by example, loved his family and friends well, and shared his time and talents with his community for many years. We hope that anyone whose life was touched by Bob may find a way to honor him through an act of kindness or service in the coming months.

Bob leaves behind his beloved wife of 58 years, Barbara Proctor Smith of Colfax, NC; their children, Jay Smith (wife Holly Hollman) of Falls Church, VA and Kathleen Smith of Greensboro, NC; and two adored grandsons: Hollman Paxton Smith and Jameson Proctor Smith. He is also survived by his brother, Charles Michael Smith (Barbara); his nieces, Betty Harrington (Charles), Jane de Vos, Sara Marks, and Laura Grimsley; and his nephew, Michael Smith (Phyllis). In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, James Bryant "J.B." Smith, and his sisters, Nora Mae "Noni" Alligood Griffin and Nancy Lee Smith Marks.

A celebration of life service will be held at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, 2209 Fairview Rd, Raleigh, NC 27608 at 2:00 pm on November 8, 2024, followed by a reception at the Church with his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Legal Aid of North Carolina, Attention: Development, P.O. Box 28741, Raleigh, NC 27611, or Sound Rivers, P.O. Box 1854, Washington, NC 27889.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Smith family.