Robert Watt Smillie

Robert Watt Smillie, age 76 of Northville MI, passed away January 11, 2023. Robert “Bob” Smillie was born in Detroit Michigan (1946) to George and Rose Smillie. He graduated from Thurston High School where he met his high school sweetheart Sue Lumsden. Bob continued his education in Kalamazoo, MI. to study mechanical engineering at Western Michigan University. During his tenure at WMU he entered the student co-op program with Ford Motor Co.'s Dearborn Iron Plant. Upon graduation he was hired full-me at the Dearborn plant as a Ford College Grad Trainee. During his 35 years with Ford, he had extended stops in Michigan, Ohio, Monterrey Mexico, and Texas. He was able to travel the world involved with operations in Europe, Japan, and Canada. Aer 35 years with Ford Motor Company Bob and Sue decided it was me to retire however that did not last long. In just a short me he was offered a position with Nemak as Vice President of Canadian Operations in Ontario Canada retiring in 2008. In 2008, Bob started his own consulting firm, RWS Productivity and Quality Solutions. Smillie has dedicated himself to giving back to the industry. He was an avid supporter of the Foundry Education Foundation, committed to the education and development of the next generation of young people in the foundry industry. His career was filled with many awards including an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Windsor and in 2012 Bob was inducted into the FOUNDRY Management & Technology Hall of Honor. His devotion to his family and friends was extraordinary. He loved his wife dearly.

They were a dynamic package that spread joy to all they encountered. Over the years they were able to travel the world and were very generous with their philanthropic endeavors. It was not uncommon to see Bob and Sue running around Northville in their classic 1957 Thunderbird or attending many of the events organized by the Water Wonderland Thunderbird Club. Bob will be dearly missed. Loving husband of 50 years to the late Suzanne “Sue” Lumsden Smillie. He is survived by his son Steven and Cande Smillie of Allen, TX , his daughter Beckie and Aaron Chesny of Northville, MI and his sister, Bonnie Beedle. His adoring grandchildren Jake, Austin, and Cade Smillie of Allen, TX and Zachary and Tyler Chesny of Northville, MI. Bob was also the brother to the late Kenneth Smillie.