Robert V Smith

NEWBERRY, S.C. - Robert V. Smith, USN Retired, 80, of Newberry, SC, formerly of Albion, IN, passed away at his home on July 11, 2017.

He was born on Dec 30, 1936 in Kendallville to the late Don G. and Gail L. (Butler) Smith. Robert spent his early life in Albion and graduated from Albion Jefferson High School in 1954.

He enlisted in the Army in the fall of the same year and served 3 years. Two years later, he enlisted in the US Navy and served for 20 years, with distinction, earning many medals, ribbons, and awards, including a Bronze Star. After his retirement from the Navy in 1979, he worked at Black’s Auto Sales as parts manager. Following that, he was employed as a maintenance man both at Tokheim in Albion and at Shepherd of the Hill Nursing Home in Kendallville.

In 1993, he moved to South Carolina, where he was the maintenance man at Red Roof Inn in Columbia. After he retired a second time, he became the local handy man in the Newberry, SC area, often repairing porches, decks, and floors for older people who needed his help. He was known for his immaculately kept lawns where ever he lived.

Robert was a long time member of the American Legion Post #246 in Albion, the Moose Lodge and a motorcycle club in Newberry. He helped the motorcycle club with fundraisers for various charities, including portraying “Motorcycle Santa” for the annual Toys for Tots run to the State Capital in Columbia, SC. In his spare time, he traveled the US, taking photos of waterfalls, often hiking many miles to get just the right shot.

His life was full and he lived each day to the fullest.

He is survived by: a daughter, Belinda (Randy Peters) Radcliffe; a son, Robert V. Smith; grandchildren, Tiffany (Kenny) Pankop, and Tara Radcliffe; great grandchildren, Lily Fields, Khloe Pankop, Zane Pankop, Teagan Wolf, Oliver Morrill, and Dillinger Morrill, all of Kendallville. Also surviving are: his twin sister, Roberta (Brent) Elser; niece Elaine (Mike) Rehling; and great nieces, Drs. Michelle (Bryan) Tolle, and Nicole (Blaise Felty) Rehling.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday August 19, 2017 at American Legion Post #246 Albion, 410 East Park Drive, with a gathering of family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Legion.

Burial with Military Honors will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Robert’s memory to Wounded Warriors or American Legion Post #246.

To leave online condolences, visit www.harperfuneralhomes.com. Harper Funeral Homes - Albion Chapel is handling local arrangements.