Robert Smith

Westborough/Sutton – Robert E. Smith, 78, of Blackstone St, Sutton, MA. A retired Raytheon Senior Quality Assurance Engineer and U. S. Air Force veteran died April 29th after a long battle with prostate cancer.

He leaves his wife of 35 years, Shirley M. (Ingersoll/Rivers) Smith, a son, Christopher J. Smith of Sutton, MA, grandsons Anthony C. Smith of Worcester, MA, Christian A. Smith of Rutland, MA and Benjamin Smith of Worcester, MA, granddaughter Nadalya Smith of Worcester, MA and stepson James Ingersoll of Sutton, MA, a brother, Steven A. Smith and his wife Margaret of North Grafton, two nieces, a nephew, and cousins in Massachusetts, Vermont, Ohio and Nova Scotia.  He was predeceased by his stepson, Keith A. Ingersoll.  He was born in Framingham, MA the son of Arthur (Tim) R. and Beatrice M. (Kimball) Smith. He lived in Westboro, Woodville, South Grafton and Sutton, MA.  Mr. Smith was a 1962 graduate of Westboro High School where he played football and was a member of the school band and rifle team. He served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1966 in Germany and Libya and with the Air Force Reserve from 1979 to 2004 at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, MA as a Radio Operations Supervisor, and First Sergeant of the 439th Communications Squadron. During his 25-year Reserve career he was activated three times and served during operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.  His Reserve military career included duty in Kuwait, Italy, Spain, England, and Alaska. His 31 military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, Combat Readiness Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. He was a life member of the Air Force Sergeants Association and a former member of the American Legion Post 191 in Sudbury, MA where he was the Commander from 2011-2013. He was a current, life member of the American Legion Post 414 (Dudley-Gendron) in Sutton, MA serving as the Post Finance Officer and a member of The Sons of The American Legion, Squadron 414 (Sutton). He was a former member of the Westborough, MA Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9013 and transferred to VFW Post 1497, South Grafton in 2017 as a life member.

Mr. Smith was a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer at Raytheon Company in Marlboro, MA and worked there for more than 42 years, retiring in 2010. Recently, he was employed by Kahr Arms of Worcester as a firearms tester. He was a past member of The First Methodist Church in Westboro.

Mr. Smith was an accomplished outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and backpacking. He held life memberships in The National Rifle Association, Gun Owners Action League (G.O.A.L.) and the North Grafton Fish, Game and Bird Club where he was the club president for several years. He was a licensed Private Pilot since 1968. Mr. Smith was an amateur radio operator, with the call sign K1NVF, for over 60 years. When stationed in Germany he was licensed as DL5EU and was a MARS (Military Affiliated Radio Station) operator with the call sign AJ3YD. As an avid hiker and backpacker, he was a supportive member of the Appalachian Trail Conference, Green Mountain Club, and the Appalachian Mountain Club. He took great pride in caring for his blind and deaf dog Louie and the newest dogs, Cookie and Casper.

Robert’s graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday, May 19th at 11 a.m. in Wilkinsonville Cemetery, 11 Boston Road, Sutton.  A celebration of life will follow at the Dudley-Gendron, American Legion Post 414, 156 Boston Road, Sutton, MA 01590.

Please omit flowers and memorial contributions may be made to the Dudley-Gendron American Legion Post 414.