Robert E. Smith Jr.

Robert (Rob) (R.E.) E. Smith, Jr

Robert (Rob) (R.E.) E. Smith, Jr of West Lafayette, IN passed away on Thursday June 9, 2016 at Cumberland Pointe Health Campus after his 11 year struggle with Parkinson's Disease.

Rob was born on March 10, 1943 to the late Robert E. and Margie Edes Smith in Holyoke, MA. His wife Pauletta Verett Smith whom he married in 1968 survives him. He graduated from Fairfield High School in Dayton, OH in 1960. He was accepted at Harding College, graduating with degrees in Speech and English in 1964. He received his M.F.A from the University of Oregon in 1966 where he studied Creative Writing and went on to complete his Ph.D. in Speech and Dramatic Arts from the University of Missouri in 1969.

Rob started his teaching career as an Assistant Instructor at the University of Missouri from 1968-1969. Moving to Purdue University in 1969, he started as a professor of Oral Interpretation of Literature, and eventually became a pioneer of the Basic Communication Course (Com 114) beginning in 1987. His love of travel started when he received a Ford Foundation Travel Grant to study in Japan and was later named a Writer-In-Residence at the Amerika Haus in Hamburg Germany. This led to his teaching of Intercultural Communications later in his career. In 2011, Rob retired and was designated as a Professor Emeritus of Communications.

Rob was a true Renaissance Man, having a wide range of interests and abilities. His travels led him to all 50 states and 16 countries in Europe as well as Asia, Central America, Mexico, and Africa. He was always ready to tell you stories of his travels be it to Egypt, Turkey, or Greece. He also traveled to Guatemala five times, where he served as a Spanish to English translator for Health Talents International.

Rob and Pauletta have been American parents to many international students throughout the years. Rob will be especially missed by Daniel and Rachel Yoon (daugher: Esther and son: Paul); Andrew and Vivian Lee (daughter: Rebecca); Susanna Gonzales; Karina Caballero and Mauricio Melgarejo (daughters: Camilla and Irene); Daniel Fan; Angela Morales; and Heejin Kim and Ick Hyun Kwon (sons: Jae Hyun and Jae Woo); whom all thought of him as a father or grandfather.

Rob is survived by brothers-in-law Jay (Jane) Verett of Lubbock, TX and Gary (Randi) Verett of Dallas, TX, 2 nieces: Marianna (Kevin) Jones and Julie Verett, and 1 nephew: Matt (Montie) Verett, and by his cousin Margaret Ware-Jolly and family of Abilene, TX.

At Rob's request, his body has been donated to the Indiana University School of Medicine for research purposes. A memorial service will be held on Friday June 17, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. at Elmwood Church of Christ in Lafayette, IN. Visitation will begin 30 minutes prior and following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to World Christian Broadcasting, Lafayette Adult Resource Academy, or the charity of your choice.