Smitheman, Robert
Bob Smitheman was born in Philadelphia in 1929. He grew up in rough neighborhoods, a desired addition to street football but also forced elsewhere to fight bullies. He enlisted into the Air Force and became an airplane mechanic, serving in the elite Strategic Air Command during the Cold War and The Korean War. Discharged in Southern California, he continued in the defense industry, building top secret aircraft (including the Valkyrie) and rebuilding fighters (the P-51 Mustang being his favorite). He discovered a passion for the outdoors, hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains. In the 1960s, on a Sierra Club rock climb, he met his wife-to-be. Bad supervisors and a yearning to be college-educated caused Bob to leave aviation and turn towards a new goal: being a psychologist for troubled youth. He got a job as a correctional officer in the California Youth Authority, hoping to build his resume, and began college. After maintaining nothing more than a D-average for 172 units, Bob finally gave up on college (but he would keep adding to his library, diverse in its holding, from science to civics to literature; passages underlined and margins written in). Several prison transfers later, he began working at Sierra Conservation Center. He would never leave Tuolumne County. He was married with two children. Weekends were spent skiing, hiking, rock climbing, ushering for live theater, working with peace groups, and enjoying the Sierra Club. He financed an early retirement from the prison by doing maintenance and landscaping at a small shopping center (former home of John’s Sierra Market). He entered a lively time with singing in vocal classes at Columbia College and backpacking in the high Sierra. After the age of 80, he had to hike at lower elevations. Now too slow for the Sierra Club, he formed the Slow Folks Group for leisurely hikes. Bob passed away last September at the age of 94. He is survived by his sister (Barbara), former wife (Alice), children (Clint and Tarta) and grandchild (Ella). We will all miss is his singing, storytelling, and extraordinary good nature. If interested in attending his Celebration of Life on June 21st, please contact Clint at (209) 743-1755.
- Date of Death: 09/20/2024
- Celebration of Life: If interested in attending his Celebration of Life on June 21st, please contact Clint at (209) 743-1755.
