Robert Whaley Smith

On May 25th, Robert W. Smith, loving father of five, passed away at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas after a full life of 90 years. He is survived by his children: Bobba Rhine of Mesa, Arizona; Valerie Smith, Angela Yarbrough, and Andy Smith of Little Rock; and Paul Smith of Mason, Ohio, as well as nine grandchildren. He was married to Vanna Smith and subsequently Linda Smith until their deaths in 1985 and 2018, respectively. Robert was born in El Dorado, Arkansas in 1933, and is a graduate of Little Rock Central High and Hendrix College. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and enjoyed a four-decades long career as a purchasing manager, including leadership roles at Virco Manufacturing in Conway and Olin Corporation in Little Rock. Robert was a member of the Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines Church in Hot Springs Village. He was a lifelong golfer and enjoyed fishing and woodworking, and was a man ultimately satisfied with the simple pleasures in life: a short walk, a long bath, and a good book.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Little Rock Veteran's Administration Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at Griffin Leggett Funeral Home at 5800 W 12th Street in Little Rock on June 17 at 1:00pm. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery on Asher.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com for the Smith family.