Bob Smothers

December 2, 1922 - September 28, 2025

Colonel Robert W Smothers, USAF (Retired), passed away peacefully at the age of 102. A devoted father of three, engineer, veteran of three wars, avid sailor, and accomplished ballroom dancer, Bob lived a life of honor, service, and love.

Bob graduated from South Pasadena - San Marino High School in 1940 and marched off to Virginia Military Institute. As a junior, his entire VMI class was called to active duty to serve in World War II. After flight training, Bob was assigned to navigate bombing missions over Germany.

After the war, Bob finished his engineering studies at Stanford University, where he met his beautiful future wife Joan Marion, a Stanford graduate, who became the mother of his three children:  Kerry Jean, David Arthur, and Elizabeth Ann. Bob began civilian life as a civil engineer for Standard Oil. In 1950, Bob was recalled to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War.

Bob's Air Force service took him and his family across the globe. He commanded engineering squadrons in Germany, served as Fire Marshal at Bitburg Air Base, attended Air Command and Staff College, and later held leadership roles in ballistic missile programs in California. His work contributed to the construction of underground hardened facilities for the Titan I Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system. Assignments also brought him to the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, where he supported construction and engineering programs during the Vietnam War. His final assignment was with Headquarters Military Airlift Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, as Director of Engineering Operations for worldwide bases.

Over his distinguished career, Bob was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the French Legion of Honor, among other medals. He retired in 1971, having also earned the title of Master Navigator.

Following his military career, Bob became a licensed Professional Engineer in California and served the County of San Diego for seven years as Director of Facility Development and later as Acting Director of General Services. Upon retiring from San Diego County, for the next 14 years Bob served as Vice President, Director of General Services for Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, California. It was during this period that Bob was married to the vivacious Hazel Ramos, who flew a pink helicopter as Whirley Girl #119. Amazingly, as Bob retired as Scripps Clinic VP, he was asked to serve as Air Force Base Civil Engineer in a civilian capacity, first in Crete, Greece and then Seville, Spain.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bob was an avid sailor, competing in races and taking his Catalina 27 on adventures across the Pacific with Hazel, who also shared his passion and skill for heating up the dance floor with their impressive swing and ballroom dancing skills. With the passing of Hazel, Bob was fortunate to find a new dance partner and dear friend, Mei Kitchen.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Kerry Freeman and Elizabeth Smothers (his son David Smothers is deceased), along with eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchilren, extended family, and many wonderful friends for whom he cared deeply.

Bob will be remembered as a loving and generous father and grandfather, courageous officer, a dedicated engineer, and a man of unwavering integrity whose life touched countless others.

Dignity Memorial, October 7, 2025