Obituary of Robert H. Smith

Robert Smith died suddenly on June 25, 2020 at Morristown Medical Center. He was 66. Born at the same hospital in 1954 to Robert Smith, Sr. and Christine Zebedeo Smith, he lived in Madison most of his life. Known affectionately as Bob, Bobby, or Bobbo, he was a standout high school athlete, excelling in football and baseball. He kept a lifelong interest in sports, rooting especially for the Yankees and Jets, and playing golf. Shortly after high school, during the Viet Nam War, he joined the US Army, rising at age 19 to be one of the youngest sergeants. He was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, and later for two years at Grafenwoehr, Germany, where he became friends with many German soldiers and travelled extensively with them throughout Europe. Bob completed his Bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University when he returned from the service, after which he began a long and successful career in the insurance industry, working in marketing and product development first with Travellers, and then with ISO/Verisk Analytics, where he was a Product Manager known for innovation. He retired in 2015. Bob loved to let the good times roll, and was the life of every party. Every event, even a simple family dinner, was fun with Bob around. He especially relished hosting an annual Superbowl party. Uncle Bobby loved to shower his nephews and great-niece and great-nephew with wonderful gifts, specially chosen for their interests. The pure joy and excitement on their faces as he arrived with a carload of presents on Christmas Eve was his reward for his generosity. In retirement, Bob took up guitar lessons and loved to play. He had a quick wit and sardonic sense of humor which he used to comment on current events, about which he remained well-informed his entire life. Bob leaves behind his beloved wife Linda, step-son Carl Tingskog, sister Debbie and her husband Ron Keefe, dear nephews David Keefe and Joseph Keefe, as well as Joe’s wife Jocelyn, and their children Ethan and Marilyn, many friends, and his adored cat Spooky. Family and friends are welcome to gather on Thursday, July 2, 2020 from 9:45 am - 11 am at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison, NJ. A Graveside Service will follow at 12 noon at Restland Memorial Park, 77 Deforest Avenue, East Hanover, NJ. Business Casual attire is requested by Bob's family. Those who wish to memorialize Bob are encouraged to donate to Disabled American Veterans (DAV), P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, or online at www.dav.org