Heart of Gold. Life Long Singer. Known by many as "PopPoP".
Robert F. Smith (Bob), long time resident of Winnetka, IL, 86, passed away September 17, 2024 after a two year battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Jan, son Brian (Vicky Castillo), son Derek (Jennifer MacLaurin) and his five adoring grandchildren Abby, Owen, Dylan, Charlotte and Isabelle.
Bob was born in New Castle, PA in 1938 to Isabelle and William Smith. He graduated from high school in New Wilmington, PA and attended Northwestern University where he loved playing trombone in the Wildcat Marching Band. Bob had attended Officer Candidate School and was a commissioned officer in the Pennsylvania Army Reserves. At the time of the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961, Bob moved back to New Wilmington as reservists were required to be within 50 miles of their military base and prepared for deployment. While back in his hometown, Bob chose to audit a course at Westminster College where he met Jan.
Bob and Jan lived in Farmington, MI, where son Brian was born and then Brookfield, WI where son Derek was before settling in Winnetka, IL in 1974. Bob loved the small town feel of Winnetka, it always felt like home to him.
Bob was an accomplished and published thought leader on Purchasing and Materials Management. He proudly worked at companies like Ford, Louis Allis, Morton Salt, and First Chicago Bank. Bob shared his professional passion with students at DePaul University and Oakton Community College.
Bob was an avid singer and musician from an early age. Music was a constant throughout his life whether it was singing with his father and brother around a piano, playing trombone, singing in the church choir, or singing with his cherished New Tradition (Barbershop) Chorus. Bob served in multiple leadership positions during his 37 years with the chorus including chapter President. Bob won an international barbershop chorus championship as part of The New Tradition Chorus in 2001 and he is among a select group of singers to have competed in all 19 of the New Tradition's International medal winning performances. (10 bronze, a record-setting 8 consecutive silver, and 1 glorious gold)
Bob was an Eagle Scout and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. He was active in Scouting with sons Brian and Derek and loved to take them on weekend camp outs. Bob also served as a Cub Scout Pack Leader. Bob believed in the value and importance of being of service. He volunteered as a board member of Great Harvest and the Girl Scouts, and served in various roles at The Winnetka Congregational Church. In retirement, he loved being a weekly volunteer in each of his five grandchildren's classrooms throughout their elementary years. There are hundreds of his grandchildren's classmates that grew up in Mundelein and Vernon Hills, Illinois that know Bob to this day simply as "PopPop".
A Celebration of Life is planned for October 5th, 2024 at 4PM at the Winnetka Congregational Church in Winnetka, IL.
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