Robert "Bob" Smith

Mr. Robert (Bob) Maurice Smith aged 75, of Dalton, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Hamilton Medical Center surrounded by family and friends. He had suffered from a brief illness with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Bob was born July 31, 1939 to Mary Kathleen and Paul Quick Smith in Hattiesburg Mississippi. Bob married at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in 1959 to Barbara Jane (Rippy) of Gallatin, TN. While in Tennessee, he served his country as a member of the National Guard. As an accomplished trumpet player, Bob received a music scholarship to Austin Peay State University, where he received his Bachelors of Music Education. He was a well-known music instructor, retiring after 35 years of teaching marching band and music. He enriched the lives of many music students in Tennessee, Alabama and Florida before spending 30 years teaching in Whitfield and Murray County Schools as well as offering private instruction. Bob transformed the lives of many children and adults, giving them the encouragement and confidence that allowed them to pursue their passions in music and beyond. His impact was both far reaching and inspirational. In addition to teaching Bob was an accomplished performing artist, sharing his many musical talents at the Creative Arts Guild and private events as well as appearing in numerous Dalton Little Theater and ACT Productions as an amazing comedic and dramatic actor, director, and instrumentalist. He was also a skilled luthier and woodcrafter, designing and creating his own instruments, arts and craft furniture and toys for friends and family. Bob had an intensely wry sense of humor, was known to be opinionated, and had a passion for gourmet cooking, zymurgy and spending time with good friends. He also chose to be an organ donor in an effort to continue to give to others.
He was preceded in death by his father Paul Quick Smith and mother Mary Kathleen (Brogan) Smith, and brother Paul David Smith.
Bob is survived by his loving wife Barbara Jane (Rippy) Smith of nearly 55 years, sons Robert Martin Smith of Las Vegas, NV, Christopher Mark Smith (Cynthia Martinez) of Dalton, and daughter Angel Smith Pronger (Todd) of Milford, Michigan and Sister Paula Brogan Sellers of Petal, Mississippi, grandchildren Jennifer, Josh, Jacob, Kenny, Benji, Jamie, Alex And Chase as well as 11 great-grandchildren
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for April 11th for family and friends, with details to be announced at a future date.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association: 801 Roeder Road, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910. It was important to Bob that special thanks be given to the caring and dedicated nursing staff at Hamilton Medical Center.
We will so miss his music, humor and intelligence and know that because he was an exceptional and caring teacher that his legacy will live on through all the students that were fortunate enough to call him Mr. Smith.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.