Dr. Robert Truman Smith died April 1, 2019, Panama City Beach, FL, at the age of 97.
Robert is survived by his wife of 45 years, Margarita Smith; children, Robert Edward (Christy); Garry Lee (Janice); Dani Lynne (Dan) and Bryan Jeffery (Theresa); grandchildren, Truman Robert and Orin Edward; Trevor Michael; Chloe Rose and Risa Clare; Sabrina Nicole and Hanna Lorraine.
Preceded in death by parents Truman Edward and Millie Smith.
Graduated 1939 Carl Schurz High School; 1948 Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University; 1948 Master of Science from Michigan State University; 1953 Ph.D. in Soil Chemistry and Plant Pathology, Purdue University.
During World War II he served in the Army Air Force in the Pacific Arena. Was honorably discharged as a sergeant.
Began working for United Fruit Company in Honduras; then USAID as Regional Director in Ecuador, then Esso/Exxon Corporation in New York; Spain, Lebanon and Greece. In 1976 moved to Muscles Shoals, AL, to work as a Training Specialist for International Fertilizer Development Center. In 1983 completed a one-year assignment in Bangladesh as a training consultant. Was an adjunct professor of marketing and management at University of North Alabama.
Robert will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, American Cancer Society, Gary Sinise Foundation.
Kent Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 2403 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32405 (850) 763-4694
