SMITH, Robert Crellin

Robert Crellin Smith was born on February 27, 1929 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Irene Smith. He succumbed on June 9, 2003 after a courageous seven-year battle with lung cancer. He graduated from Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Yale University. He came to Phoenix in 1950 and worked briefly for Valley Bank before being drafted into the U. S. Army. During his military service, he was stationed at White Sands Proving Ground, New Mexico, where he was responsible for calculating missile trajectories. After his military service, he returned to Phoenix in 1955 and went to work as a credit analyst for Valley Bank. In 1957, he left the bank and went to work for Refsnes, Ely, Beck & Co. as an Investment Banker, helping various Arizona municipalities to build needed infrastructure through the issuance of municipal bonds. He found his true professional calling in the early 1960s when he became a retail stockbroker. He truly loved his profession, and took great pride in his work, helping hundreds of clients with their investment needs. He worked almost his entire professional career at Refsnes, Ely, Beck & Co. or its successor entities, achieving the professional title of Senior Vice President, Investments. In May of 2001 he accepted a position in the Phoenix office with the then-named firm of UBS Paine Webber as a Senior Vice President, Investments. Accompanying him to UBS Paine Webber were his beloved team of professional associates and his clients. He worked there until his death. He will be remembered by most as a consummate professional, dedicated to helping his clients with their investment needs. He was a founding member of The Phoenix Society of Financial Analysts, and a member in good standing of The Association for Investment Management and Research. He gave of his time generously, acting in various advisory capacities to The Boy Scouts of America, Saint Augustine's Episcopal Church and The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. He is survived by his wife, Patty Morgan Smith of Phoenix, Arizona, his brother Fred (Pompea) of Calabasas, California, his sister Phyllis (Cafer) of Dana Point, California, his three sons William S. Smith (Dawn) of San Jose, Costa Rica, Peter C. Smith (Stacie) of Paradise Valley, Arizona, and Edward B. Smith (Mary Lou) of Flagstaff, Arizona, and seven grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by his wife's children Sara Caldwell (Jim) of Puyallup, Washington and Peter Laney (Annie) of Puyallup, Washington, and their 6 children. A remembrance will take place on Thursday, June 12, 2003. Friends may call (602)667-8121 for details. A memorial service is planned for Tuesday, July 1st at Saint Augustine's Episcopal Church, 1735 South College Avenue, Tempe, Arizona at 7:00 P. M. Reception will follow at the church. Published in The Arizona Republic from 6/11/2003 - 6/12/2003.