"I so enjoyed working with Bob In New Paltz and then finding him again up in Kingston/Hurley. He was truly an amazing, interesting, kind man."
In loving memory of
Robert Lee Smith
April 23, 1940 - September 2, 2017
Robert Lee Smith, a true Renaissance man, 77, of Kingston, NY, passed away Saturday, September 2, 2017. He was born April 23, 1940 in Raleigh, NC to the late Walter Lee Smith and Mary McMillan Smith. He was raised in Omaha, NE, until he left for college.
Robert received his Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics from Harvard University and later his Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University. He worked as a school Social Worker for the New Paltz Central School District where he touched many lives. He had a second career as a French/German translator in New York City. Robert was a member of Essex Unitarian Universalist Church in Essex, MA, but recently attended the Hurley Reformed Church and meetings at the Rondout House Brudderhoff.
Robert had traveled extensively, including the Pacific North West, Canada, and Alaska. He was fluent in French, German, and Spanish and enjoyed travel to France especially. He was also connected spiritually with nature and enjoyed many outdoor activities such as rock climbing, biking, Nordic skiing, sea kayaking, birding, and photography.
He is survived by his loving family; his wife, Joy O'Connor, daughter, Jessica and son-in-law Kurt Lichtenwald of Gloucester, MA, daughter, Jaclyn Bachor, of Davie FL, and grandchildren, Anya, Deven, Jaclyn, and Logan Lichtenwald, many cousins in North Carolina, as well as many grand animals.
Entrusted to the care of Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, 326 Albany Ave., Kingston, where family and friends may visit on Thursday, September 7 from 4pm to 7pm. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, September 8 at 10am. Burial will follow in Montrepose Cemetery, Kingston.
The family would like to thank Robert's caregiver, Joyce Sisto, the staff of HealthAlliance Hospital Broadway Campus, Emergency and Oncology Departments, and Hudson Valley Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to HealthAlliance Foundation, c/o Oncology Support Program, 105 Mary's Ave, Kingston, NY 12401. Please note "Ocology Support Program" on the memo line, or Mohonk Preserve, PO Box 715 New Paltz, NY 12561 or at www.mohonkpreserve.org/donate.
Tributes
"Back in 1998 I was living in Manhattan, contemplating a move back to the Hudson Valley. At that time, Bob was also looking for a different living situation. We traded living spaces for three months. He in my studio apartment on West End Ave near Lincoln Center and me in his house in New Paltz. Can't quite remember what Bob did next but I always admired his sense of adventure and great, positive outlook on all that life has to offer. My deepest condolences to Joy and all of Bob's family. Sincerely, Diane Newlander"
"Bob was one of the finest, kindest people I have ever known. As a school social worker he reached out to the neediest members of the community and provided help and comfort to them. As a friend he was in unfailingly kind and helpful. The world and his family and friends lost an exceptionally fine person ."