Robert (Bob) L. Smalley, 90 of the Cypress Palms, Largo, went to his heavenly home on March 3, 2014, to join his beloved wife Myra who passed away five days earlier.
Born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Utica, Michigan, he married his Myra, August 2, 1941. Daughter Roberta was born in 1943, and Son Charles was born in 1949. He was a World War II Veteran serving in the Air Force, a trained engine specialist and flight engineer, he was with the first B-29 bomber squadron flying out of Siapan, a Pacific Island to bomb Japan in October 1944 thru August 1945. He was awarded the Victory Medal, The Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, The American Theater Ribbon, Two Overseas Bars and the Good Conduct Medal.
When the War ended and he returned home in 1946 he went back to work for the Mc Cord Corp, there he became a pioneer in the field of Statistical Quality Control. When the Korean War started in 1950 he went to work for the GE Aircraft Engine Plant in Cincinnati Ohio as a Liaison Quality Control Engineer. In 1953 he was hired as the Quality Control Manager for the Smith Morris Company of Detroit, Michigan, they developed critical components for Ram Jet and Rocket Engines for the Air Force and the Future Space Programs. In 1958 he was recruited by the Continental Aviation Engineering Company, Toledo, Ohio as a Quality Control Supervisor, they manufactured Air Force Fighter Jet Engines.
In 1961 he switched from the Aircraft Business to the Automotive Business, he was selected to be the Vice President and General Manager of the Champion Bait Company, St. Clair Michigan, a large automotive parts manufacturer. During his tenure the company grew adding two subsidiaries, Champco Corporation a manufacturing plant and Seam Corporation, an Engineering and Accounting firm, he then incorporated the three companies into what became Champion Industries.
In the winter of 1966 he and Myra bought a winter vacation condo in Hallendale, Florida, in 1971 he retired, sold their home, condo and all his business interests and relocated to Clearwater Florida, by 1973 he became restless and went to work for the Pinellas County Housing Authority as a Project Manager, in 1976 after organizing the HUD New Section 8 Housing Program, he became the Executive Deputy Director.
In 1982, his former business associates requested he return to Michigan and help the group of companies he left in 1971 who were now experiencing financial and management difficulties. He returned as the President of Champion Industries which now had grown to 1100 employees with two plants in Michigan and one plant in Fort Smith Arkansas. He was successful in turning the business around and convinced the Board of Directors that selling the companies at this time was in the best interest of the stock holders. He then sold the business, retired and returned to Florida.
He was a member of The American Legion, a Charter Member of the World War II Memorial Society and an Honoree in the World War II Memorial Registry of Remembrances in Washington D.C.
He and Myra spent many years traveling all the 48 states and cruising and visiting the Islands of the Caribbean, South America and Mexico.
He was active for many years in his Church Bethel Lutheran of Clearwater Florida, serving as an Usher, Elder and then Chairman of the Board of Elders.
He and Myra owned a Condominium at the Harbor Oaks Condominium Clearwater for 25 years where he also served as Vice President of the Board of Directors for four years. In 2008 they sold there Condominium and moved to the Royal Palms of Largo Florida a active senior adult living center.
He and Myra were very close with their children, son, Charles and wife, Rebecca of Clearwater; daughter, Roberta and husband Dr. Richard Kidd of Belleair Beach; granddaughter Richele and husband Dr. Donald Collins and great granddaughters Reagan Collins and Kendal Collins of Belleair Beach; grandson Robert Kidd and wife Julie and great grandson Brandon Kidd of Belleair Beach.
Please sign the guestbook below and his wife, Myra's guestbook.
My sincere condolences to the Smalley and Kidd families. I worked for Bob in my first job out of college at the Pinellas County Housing Authority and later became colleagues. He was a great mentor and a very fine man. I learned much from him. He will be missed.
I was sorrowed to read that a long time friend of my father (also Bob, 1916-1988)passed away. My Dad worked in Production Control at Chrysler’s M&I plant in Marysville, MI and often spoke of Bob. They both retired to Florida about the same time (My folks to Port Charlotte).
My condolences to all the family members. Losing two loved ones so close together has to be extremely difficult.
My husband I are moving back to Florida after 36 yrs in KY. That made me think of my past life in Clearwater. I decided to look up my first boss. Mr. Smalley was the first and best boss I ever had. He was so nice and knowledgeable. He made such an impression on me. I still remember his stories. Some of them are mentioned in the obit. He will be missed. Still think of you Mr Smalley and wish we could go for another cup of coffee.