Robert Emil Smith, age 72, of Palatka, passed away on December 9, 2021, following an extended illness. He was a native of Clothier, West Virginia, and lived there until he moved to Berea, Kentucky to attend and graduate from Berea College. Smith later received his Master’s Degree in Business from the University of North Florida. He taught at Palatka Middle School and as a business instructor at night school. During the 1970s he became Director of the Northeast Florida Educational Consortium, where he worked until his retirement in 2010. He oversaw the Consortium’s work to provide educational services to 15 rural school districts, providing programs and support that these schools would not be able to provide to students on their own. His work also included advocacy efforts with superintendents and local and state legislators to provide critical funding for schools.
Bob was a big fan of the Florida Gators, and he also loved fishing and boating. He spent a lot of time off the west coast of Florida, especially Cedar Key, where he took his airboat decked in orange and blue with custom Gator seats, to fish for redfish and speckled trout in the coastal flats. He loved to take family and friends on the airboat and got a kick out of teaching his children and grandchildren to tie a hook, bait it, and cast the line to see what would bite. He also loved to point out wildlife (birds and alligators) in the marshes. He really loved bringing his family together.
Bob also enjoyed reading, woodworking, gardening, and travels to the Appalachian Mountains and Costa Rica. And, many can attest he was very skilled at the barbecue grill and smoker, with any type of meat.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie Smith, Senior, and Hattie Browning Smith, and his brother, Archie, Junior. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Dobbs Smith, of Palatka, Florida; his children, Travis Smith (Chrissie) of St. Augustine, Florida; and Shannon Eckhaus (Josh) of Johns Island, South Carolina. Smith is also survived by two stepdaughters, Claire Aiello (Joey) of Huntsville, Alabama; and Mary Katherine Kelly of Gainesville, Florida. His grandchildren are Camryn and Paige Smith, Elena and Nick Aiello, and Eric Leo and David Robison. In addition, Bob is survived by his sister, Sue Ann Crabtree (Tom) of Statesboro, Georgia, and nephew and niece, Tyler and Taylor Crabtree, sister-in-law Joann Smith of Tucson, Arizona, and nephew and niece Greg and Jessie Smith.
Bob strongly believed in people having access to education to better themselves, and his family is working to establish a scholarship through Northeast Florida Education Consortium (NEFEC) and St. John’s River State College in Palatka. NEFEC and the college will partner to create, annually select, and award a deserving student funds to attend classes at SJR State. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Foundation for Rural Excellence (attn. Bob Smith Memorial Scholarship) - the mailing address is P.O. Box 756, Palatka, Florida, 32178.
A private family celebration of life will be scheduled. Johnson Overturf Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memories and condolences may be expressed in Bob’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.