Robert Smith

Dr. Robert Jack Smith, 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 31, 2016. He was at home with his wife by his side, as he always wanted. He shared 55 years of marriage with the love of his life, his wife Doris (Noel). He and Doris lived in Kalamazoo for 50 years in their first home on Highgate Road, before moving to the home of his daughter Rebecca and son-in-law Ken Gates in Scotts, Michigan. Robert was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the son of the late Dorothy (Resnikoff) and Norman Nathaniel Smith. He was also the beloved step-son of the late Lillian (Reimer) Smith. His older sister Symmee S. Stroh, lives in Broomall, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven, he attended Yale University, where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts (1951) and Master of Arts (1955) degrees in Anthropology. At the encouragement of his professors, he pursued his PhD studies in Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his dissertation: "Muslim East Indians in Trinidad: Retention of Ethnic Identity under Acculturative Conditions," in 1963. As always, he dedicated the work to his wife Doris for her support in making it possible. He and Doris met in Philadelphia and were married 5 months after their first date (January 23, 1960) on July 4, 1960. They lived for a while in Osawatomie, Kansas, where he conducted research through a grant with the National Institutes of Mental Health. They moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1963 when Robert was offered a teaching position at Western Michigan University. Robert was on the Anthropology faculty at WMU for 25 years, serving the last 10 years as Chair of the department. He was a gifted lecturer, storyteller, and student mentor beloved by generations of Anthropology students. Through his research, he and his family traveled to Mexico, Guatemala and Trinidad, where he had a unique ability to connect on a personal level with the people he studied. In fact, he was adopted by his Muslim family in Trinidad as a brother in the late 50s. Robert was extraordinarily devoted to his wife and family. He was fiercely committed to spending as much time, and as many years as possible with them. He succeeded thanks to medical science, sheer human will power, and love of life. He had an unwavering moral approach to life and his closest family members will always remember the truly good, devoted, and loving person he was. He and Doris raised their family of three daughters in Kalamazoo: Stephanie (John Hall) of Novi, MI; Rebecca (Ken Gates) of Scotts, MI; and Elisa Weidner (Craig Gallup) of Coldwater, MI. He was the proud Pa to 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, who all feel so fortunate to have been part of his life for so long. The family is hosting a gathering to remember Robert on Saturday, February 6 from 1 to 4 pm, with a remembrance service 1:30-2 pm at the Holiday Inn, 11th Street, in Kalamazoo, MI. Arrangements were entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes 622 South Burdick Street Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (269) 343-1508 .