Savannah - Robert Vincent "Bob" Smith died Monday, August 28, 2006 at his home. Born on March 6, 1933 in Savannah, Georgia, he was one of three sons born to Clarence E. and Gertrude Freeman Smith. Bob graduated in 1950 from Savannah High School a year early on the accelerated program. He then served two years in the Navy as a medic while stationed at Paris Island, SC.
After his honorary discharge, Bob attended Armstrong Atlantic State University and graduated from the University of Georgia with a business degree. Bob then worked as a Maitre' d for the Stouffer Corporation in Boston, Washington DC, and Atlanta. He returned to Savannah in the mid 1980's and worked at local restaurants while caring for his widowed mother until her death in 1990.
Bob struggled for years with alcoholism. When his mother died, his world fell apart and he ended up homeless in his hometown. In time he found his way to Inner City Night Shelter which took him in and provided the foundation he needed to have a second chance at his life.
He served for years as the cook at Inner City Night Shelter. In time, as his health became an issue so that he could not work, he moved into Stillwell Towers. But this did not stop Bob from giving back to his community and helping those people he cared most deeply about, homeless children and homeless veterans.
He volunteered daily at the local VA Center on Middleground Round in the pharmacy. He is a former chairman of the board of the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless and was its historian until his death. At the time of his death he was Vice Chair and representative of Region 12 for the Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, Community Representative to the Community Investment Committee of the United Way of the Coastal Empire, Board Secretary for Park Place Outreach formerly Savannah Runaway Home, Secretary for Neighborhood Residents at Work and Treasurer for the Resident Association at Stillwell Towers.
He also liked to travel and did so frequently in the last years of his life. Bob also, at his own expense, traveled to Atlanta and Washington DC to testify to elected officials on behalf of homeless individuals, homeless veterans, and disabled veterans.
Bob's motto was "You know I'll be there." He was a tremendous asset to serving homeless persons. As a formerly homeless individual he knew how to best help those who wanted to make a change in their lives. Bob's presence will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live strongly in the hearts and lives of those who knew him and those whose lives were made better through this efforts.
Bob is survived by his two brothers and their wives, Walter F. and Miriam Smith of McDonough, GA and Herbert A. and Betty Smith of Greensboro, NC; two uncles, Wilbur G. Smith of Savannah and Albert L. Smith of Beaver, PA; a niece and several nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel with Rev. Micheal Elliott officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Laurel Grove Cemetery.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made to Park Place Outreach, 11 West Park Ave., Savannah, GA 31401 or the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless, 2301 Bull St., Savannah, GA 31401, to serve homeless veterans.