Robert Louis SMITH

OBITUARY:ROLLING MEADOWS - Robert Louis Smith, Jr. (Bob), 69, died on September 30, 2014 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. Born April 20, 1945 in Warren, Ohio to Robert Louis Smith, Sr. and May Elizabeth Smith. His younger brother, Richard LeRoy Smith and both parents preceded him in death. Bob enlisted in the US Army in 1963 where he served as a combat veteran attached to the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. He remained active with multiple veteran organizations throughout his life and career in student transportation with Cook-Illinois Corporation. He became a lifetime member of American Legion - Post 208, Veterans of Foreign Wars - Post 981, VietNow - Berwyn/ Cicero Chapter, Veterans of the Vietnam War and Special Forces Association Chicago - Chapter XXXVII. Bob helped lead efforts to expand the Illinois Veteran's Foundation; the National Veteran's Art Museum and helped establish both the Orland Park and Rolling Meadows Veteran Commissions. He was co-founder of the Warrior's Watch Riders in Illinois. Robert is survived by his wife of 17 years, Chris (Doric) Smith and three children, Robert L. Smith, III (Shelley), Rebecca Smith- O'Connell (Brian) and Jennifer Rider (Sebastien), and six grandchildren: Carson, Bo, Luke, Claire, Linnea and Wyatt. Memorial Service will be Saturday, October 11th at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, 1330 N. Douglas Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Arrival of the Motorcycle Escort and Military Tribute is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., the Memorial Service begins at 10:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online or by phone to Special Operations Warrior Foundation, www.specialops.org; 877 337-7693 FREE, or the Salvation Army, www.salarmydesplaines.org; 847-981-9111.

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