LEXINGTON, S.C. — Robert "Bob" Weldon Smith was born on April 16, 1925 in Hamlet, North Carolina, to Rowland and Carrie Smith. Our hardworking "Pops" died on Friday, May 27, 2016 at the age of 91 in Lexington, South Carolina.

Bob grew up in Hamlet and attended Hamlet High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Auburn and the USS Laffey. After the war, he married Mary Louise Beck Smith in 1946 (later divorced). He graduated from N.C. State in civil engineering and was a true Wolfpack fan. His engineering abilities first became apparent when he built a backyard Ferris wheel from scrap wood while growing up on Boyd Lake Road. His career in civil engineering took him throughout the United States, but he always remained a North Carolinian and country boy at heart. He loved drawing, painting and sports.

His parents; son, Michael; and sisters, Elsie Harrington and Louise Smith preceded him in death.

He is survived by his sister, Doris Smith; four children; Debbie Jabaley (Chip), Barbara Cheung (Arthur), Ronald Smith (Carol) and Donna Schultz; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Harrington Funeral Home, 214 McDonald Ave., Hamlet followed by a brief service at 11:30 a.m.

Paid obituary

The Richmond County Daily Journal

Tuesday, May 31, 2016