Bob L. Smith, Col. Usaf Ret.

Robert Lee “Bob” Smith was born near Mound City, Missouri on November 21, 1921. He was one of two children born to Foster L. and Blanche M. (Hays) Smith. Bob graduated from Mound City High School in 1939. He was employed at Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank, California until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on November 2, 1942, graduating from the pilot training program on June 27, 1943. Bob was stationed in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater during WWII, flying combat missions in the P-38 “Lightning” fighter aircraft. At the end of WWII, he was assigned to the Chinese Air Force for a 90-day period checking out Chinese pilots in the P-38 aircraft.
After his discharge from the service, Bob attended a two-year course at Southern Methodist University (SMU) graduating with a degree in insurance underwriting and business administration.
Bob was called back to active duty on April 1, 1951 and remained in the United States Air Force (USAF) for 34 years. He served in three wars, WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War, having flown over 10,000 hours in military aircraft, approximately half of those hours in jet trainers and fighters. Bob completed 320 combat missions in all three wars. He received numerous awards and service ribbons during this service to his country, including USAF Command pilot wings and Chinese Air Force pilot wings.
Bob married the former Joan Oehler on October 7, 1988 during a hot air balloon ride above Maryland. (It was the first and only balloon ride for both of them.) Bob and Joan moved to Mound City, Missouri in 1991.
Bob passed away at his Mound City home on March 18, 2015 at the age of 93. He was preceded in death by his parents, and son, Lee Craig Smith.
Survivors include his wife Joan, of their home; children, Robert P. (Karen) Smith, Wigtownshire, Scotland, K. Randall (Marianne) Smith, Westminster, MD, Robin Lea (Noel) Ragin, Dallas, TX., and Kenneth (Lisa) Engelke, New Market, MD; sister, Mary Ellen Lentz, Austin, TX; brother-in-law, Francis Oehler, Maryland; nephew, Rick (Susan) Lentz, Oregon, MO; nieces, Laura Ann Lake and Sherry Oliver; 11 grandchildren, Rebecca, Natalie, Rachel, Philippa, Steven, Olivia, Trevor, Morgan, Austin, Ragin, Sam and Layla; and seven great grandchildren.
Bob was a lifetime member and past commander of American Legion Post #121, Mound City; lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4839, Oregon; past president Mound City Lions Club, member Mizpah Mt. Moriah Lodge, #40 AF & AM; member 32nd degree Masonic Lodge Valley, St. Joseph; member of Moila Shrine Temple, lifetime member Court 98 Royal Order of Jesters; member Moila Shrine Antique Auto Club; lifetime member of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA); member of Antique Automobile Association; member of American Waco Club, and a member of St. Louis Hanger Quiet Birdman.
Services: Monday, March 23, 2015, 3:00 pm, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Mound City. Family will greet friends beginning at 2:00 pm. Military Rites: Paul P. Shutts A.L. Post #121. Memorials: Mound City Nutrition Site, Paul P. Shutts American Legion Post #121, VFW Post #4839, or Shriners Hospital for Children.