Robert Fleck Smith

Robert Fleck Smith, Jr. May 24, 1960-May 22, 2007 Air Interdiction Agent Robert F. Smith of US Customs and Border Protection was born on May 24, 1960, in Harrisburg, Pa., to Robert Smith and Gabrielle Greene. He graduated from Central Dauphin East High in Harrisburg, Pa., in May, 1978, where he was captain of the cross-country, basketball, and track teams. He entered Penn State University at State College, Pa, in the Autumn of 1978 graduating in November, 1982 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He entered the US Navy in the spring of 1983 as part of the Naval Aviation Officer’s Candidate Program in Pensacola, Florida. He earned his wings of gold as a Naval Aviator in the summer of 1984. He was stationed in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, where he flew H-3 Helicopters; and Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida a flight instructor flying the T-34. Robert was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1990 at the rank of Lieutenant (O-3). Robert was hired by the US Customs Service as a pilot in 1991 and started at the New York Air Unit in Islip, New York. After attending a 16 week course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, he was transferred to the Caribbean Aviation Operations Branch in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, in 1992. He served there in the forefront of the nation’s war against drugs, flying the UH60 Blackhawk helicopter and the CD-22 Nomad sensor aircraft. He was directly responsible for the interdiction of several tons of cocaine and marijuana coming from Columbia. He was transferred to the El Paso Aviation Unit in the summer of 1996. While in El Paso, Robert acted as a Pilot in Command of the C550 Citation, the UH60 Blackhawk and the AS350 AStar helicopter on a variety of law enforcement and national security missions. During the last couple of years, Robert was involved in air space security missions in Washington, DC, international drug interdiction missions based in the Caribbean, and rescue / relief efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In addition to his professional career, Robert was very active in his Christian faith since his conversion in 1979, speaking at Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship meetings and bible study groups across the country. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in El Paso. One of his favorite hobbies was running with the local chapter of the Hash House Harriers, an international running and drinking club. Robert is survived by his wife Bridget Smith and his step children Claire Tinguely and Robert Chacon, his parents Robert and Kathy Smith of Phoenix, Arizona, his mother Gabrielle Greene of El Paso, his sisters Lisa Smith, Lydia Smith of West Palm Beach, Florida, and brother Sean Harvey of Oxford, Pennsylvania. Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 8 pm, Monday, May 28, 2007 at Sunset Funeral Home-West with a prayer service at 6:30 pm. A funeral service will be held at 10 am, Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at Western Hill Methodist Church located at 524 Thunderbird. Interment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Robert Smith Memorial Fund at any State National Bank to acct. # 2336104009. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net