Bob Smithwick, Jr
May 13, 1923 — August 4, 2012
Bob Smithwick, Jr
Robert Walter Smithwick, Jr. "Bob" died on Saturday, August 4, 2012, at Baysmont Healthcare Center in Kingsport, TN at the age of 89.
He was born May 13, 1923, in Louisburg, NC, the son of Robert and Dorothy Johnson Smithwick. He is predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Kathryn Evans Smithwick.
Bob attended Mills High School in Louisburg and Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, VA. His studies at NC State College now University in Raleigh, NC, were interrupted by World War II. He was called to active duty in April, 1943, and served in France and Germany, where he was wounded and taken as a prisoner of war. He was an eye-witness of the famous Hammelburg raid on Mar. 27, 1945. He was liberated on April 29, 1945. He returned to NC State after the war where he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honorary fraternity. In 1946, Bob graduated with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering.
He served in the Tennessee National Guard from 1947 to 1950 in the 27th Infantry. His regiment was called to active duty with the Seventy Infantry Division in Korea, where he was wounded. He received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his combat service in World War II and in Korea. He continued to serve in the National Guard and retired as a Major with 20 years of military service in 1983.
Bob began his career at Tennessee Eastman Company in July, 1946 as a special assistant to the patent attorney. After working in the Cellulose Esters Division, he moved to Market Research for Eastman products. He then worked at various assignments in the Filter Products Division until his retirement in May, 1986, while Tennessee Eastman Company was still a part of Eastman Kodak.
His community involvement included membership in the Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, Tri-Cities Computer Club, and the Friends of the Kingsport Library. As a member of St. Paul's Episcopal, he served as a Sunday School teacher and sponsored a Boy Scout troop there. In 1977, he became a member of First Broad St. United Methodist Church, Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class, and the Sanctuary Choir.
Bob was the epitome of the lifelong learner. An avid reader, he surrounded himself with books, and loved nothing more than a lively discussion of topics ranging from politics to literature to theology.
He married Kathryn Evans on July 15, 1944. He is survived by their children: two daughters Kay Bruce Craft of Augusta, GA and Ann David Sellman of LaGrange, GA and son Bob Smithwick, III Katherine of Knoxville, TN. Grandchildren are Jonathan Evans Craft Jennifer MacLean of Chicago, IL, Jeffrey Scott Craft Randy Walters of Decatur, GA, Daniel Sarah Smithwick of Knoxville, TN, Laura Tim Airhart of Knoxville, TN, and Kathryn and David Sellman of LaGrange, GA. Bob's five great-grandchildren are Meghan Reed, Matthew and Andrew Smithwick and Griffin and Ethan Airhart, all of Knoxville, TN.
Bob is survived by his wife of 35 years, Frances Bryant Williamson Smithwick and her children, Beth Roy Geno of Kingsport, TN, Macon Michael Blyth of Evanston, IL and Perry Kathy Williamson of Chesapeake, VA. Bob watched their children grow up and joined Frances in love for them all. The Williamson grandchildren are: Michael Shalloway Samantha of Atlanta, GA, Aliza Jesse Winship- Freyer of Seattle, WA, Steven Chelsea Shalloway of Seattle, WA, Matthew Dana Blyth of San Antonio, TX, Mallory and Samantha Blyth of Evanston, IL, David Geno of Kingsport, TN, Kelly Alex Kirk of Chapel Hill, NC, Mark Keely Goldsmith of Durham, NC, and three great-grandchildren, Davis, Zoe, and Emma Kate Kirk. Bob is also survived by sisters Evelyn S. Turner of Port Charlotte, FL and Mary S. Hayes of Burlington, NC.
A private graveside service with military honors will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 11, at 11:00 am at First Broad St. United Methodist Church with Dr. J. Spurgeon McCartt and Rev. Mickey Rainwater officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Carpenter's Helpers or Food Assistance Ministries at First Broad St. United Methodist Church or the Friends of the Kingsport Public Library.
He was born May 13, 1923, in Louisburg, NC, the son of Robert and Dorothy Johnson Smithwick. He is predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Kathryn Evans Smithwick.
Bob attended Mills High School in Louisburg and Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, VA. His studies at NC State College now University in Raleigh, NC, were interrupted by World War II. He was called to active duty in April, 1943, and served in France and Germany, where he was wounded and taken as a prisoner of war. He was an eye-witness of the famous Hammelburg raid on Mar. 27, 1945. He was liberated on April 29, 1945. He returned to NC State after the war where he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honorary fraternity. In 1946, Bob graduated with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering.
He served in the Tennessee National Guard from 1947 to 1950 in the 27th Infantry. His regiment was called to active duty with the Seventy Infantry Division in Korea, where he was wounded. He received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his combat service in World War II and in Korea. He continued to serve in the National Guard and retired as a Major with 20 years of military service in 1983.
Bob began his career at Tennessee Eastman Company in July, 1946 as a special assistant to the patent attorney. After working in the Cellulose Esters Division, he moved to Market Research for Eastman products. He then worked at various assignments in the Filter Products Division until his retirement in May, 1986, while Tennessee Eastman Company was still a part of Eastman Kodak.
His community involvement included membership in the Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, Tri-Cities Computer Club, and the Friends of the Kingsport Library. As a member of St. Paul's Episcopal, he served as a Sunday School teacher and sponsored a Boy Scout troop there. In 1977, he became a member of First Broad St. United Methodist Church, Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class, and the Sanctuary Choir.
Bob was the epitome of the lifelong learner. An avid reader, he surrounded himself with books, and loved nothing more than a lively discussion of topics ranging from politics to literature to theology.
He married Kathryn Evans on July 15, 1944. He is survived by their children: two daughters Kay Bruce Craft of Augusta, GA and Ann David Sellman of LaGrange, GA and son Bob Smithwick, III Katherine of Knoxville, TN. Grandchildren are Jonathan Evans Craft Jennifer MacLean of Chicago, IL, Jeffrey Scott Craft Randy Walters of Decatur, GA, Daniel Sarah Smithwick of Knoxville, TN, Laura Tim Airhart of Knoxville, TN, and Kathryn and David Sellman of LaGrange, GA. Bob's five great-grandchildren are Meghan Reed, Matthew and Andrew Smithwick and Griffin and Ethan Airhart, all of Knoxville, TN.
Bob is survived by his wife of 35 years, Frances Bryant Williamson Smithwick and her children, Beth Roy Geno of Kingsport, TN, Macon Michael Blyth of Evanston, IL and Perry Kathy Williamson of Chesapeake, VA. Bob watched their children grow up and joined Frances in love for them all. The Williamson grandchildren are: Michael Shalloway Samantha of Atlanta, GA, Aliza Jesse Winship- Freyer of Seattle, WA, Steven Chelsea Shalloway of Seattle, WA, Matthew Dana Blyth of San Antonio, TX, Mallory and Samantha Blyth of Evanston, IL, David Geno of Kingsport, TN, Kelly Alex Kirk of Chapel Hill, NC, Mark Keely Goldsmith of Durham, NC, and three great-grandchildren, Davis, Zoe, and Emma Kate Kirk. Bob is also survived by sisters Evelyn S. Turner of Port Charlotte, FL and Mary S. Hayes of Burlington, NC.
A private graveside service with military honors will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 11, at 11:00 am at First Broad St. United Methodist Church with Dr. J. Spurgeon McCartt and Rev. Mickey Rainwater officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Carpenter's Helpers or Food Assistance Ministries at First Broad St. United Methodist Church or the Friends of the Kingsport Public Library.
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