Robert J. Smith

Dr. Robert James Smith, 87, of Mims Florida, and well-loved husband of Thelma Eve Smith, passed away Friday March 28, 2014 at home. He was born in Richmond, New South Wales, Australia on March 10, 1927, and was the son of John William Smith and Edith Catherine Sant Smith.

He received his Bachelor's and Master's of Science degrees in Mathematics from the University of Sydney, and came to the United States as a Fulbright Scholar in 1954. He met his future wife Thelma Peacock when he shared an office with her while working towards his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Tennessee. He held teaching positions at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, in Canada, Northern State Teacher's College in Aberdeen South Dakota, the University of Queensland in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, and retired as an Associate Professor from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut in 1992. He authored the mathematics textbook `The Essential Theory of Equations and Vector Spaces'. Since his retirement, he has resided in Mims, Florida.

He is survived by his wife Thelma Smith of the home and five children, Pamela Ruth Smith of Oakland California, Jill Alison Tilton of Boston Massachusetts and husband Mark Tilton, Beverly Joy Smith of Johnson City Tennessee and husband Mark Giroux, Terry Eve Auer of Cocoa Florida, and Barry Francis Smith of Naperville Illinois, and six grandchildren. He was predeceased by his eldest daughter Heather Catherine Smith, his parents, and five brothers.

He was active in local politics, serving for several years as first selectman of Willington Connecticut, and remained active in politics even after his retirement to Florida. He enjoyed gardening, birding, reading, traveling, and cats. He was devoted to his wife and family.

The family would like to express its appreciation to Robert Smith's caregivers, Barbara Martinez, Cheryl English, Barbara Williams, and many others who gave him their loving care. They also thank Dr. Pamela Tronetti and Kimberly Lundquist ARNP.

Calling hours are 6:00-7:00pm Sunday, March 30, 2014 followed by a funeral service beginning at 7:00pm at Brevard Memorial Funeral Home, Cocoa, Florida. Graveside services are at 2:00pm Monday, March 31, 2014 at Brevard Memorial Park.

Arrangements under the direction of Brevard Memorial Funeral Home, Cocoa, FL.