1930
Bobby
2018
Bobby Lee Smith
November 1, 1930 — October 10, 2018
Dr. Bobby Lee Smith, age 87, died on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at his home in Cleveland.
Dr. Smith was born November 1, 1930 in Mountain View, OK to Lee and Etta (Dixon) Smith. He was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church of Kent. Bobby loved to travel and spend time with beloved family and friends, including his dart buddies. He was known as a passionate cook and a voracious reader who loved to share meals and lively conversation with his friends and family.
Dr. Smith earned his doctorate in English Literature from the University of Oklahoma. He was an award-winning Distinguished Professor at Kent State University from 1965 through 1995, specializing in Modern British Literature. Dr. Smith loved teaching and being an active part of university life. As a leader in the English Department, he was known for his cross-discipline collegiality working with and developing life-long friendships with fellow professors from the geology, chemistry, theater, and french departments among others. His doctoral research focused on the leaders of the Irish Literary Revival including Sean O'Casey, James Joyce, J.M. Synge, and W.B. Yeats. This passion led to many trips and sabbaticals to study in Ireland and England. He shared his passion with his students who loved the depth of his knowledge and the strength of his commitment to higher education and to them.
He is survived by daughters, Deborah (Thomas) Grealy of Centennial, CO, Lee Ann (Mona Scott) Smith of Parkville, MD, Sara (Jeff Buttermore) Smith of Cleveland Heights, Arwen (JanMarie) Love of Atlanta, GA, and Hale (Rasim) Tuzcu of Istanbul, Turkey; grandchildren, Sean Grealy, Michael Grealy, Erin Grealy, Delana Marie DeWitt, Etta Scott-Smith and Imani Love; and nine great grandchildren, Egan, Ronan, Amelia, Evelyn, Jeffrey III, Connor, Mason, Robby, and Gavin. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Nancy (Strong) Smith; parents, Lee and Etta Smith; sister, Juanita Ranjel; and brother, Billy Ray Smith.
Private services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Coleman Foundation, 5982 Rhodes Road, Kent, OH 44240. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home are handling the arrangements.
Dr. Smith was born November 1, 1930 in Mountain View, OK to Lee and Etta (Dixon) Smith. He was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church of Kent. Bobby loved to travel and spend time with beloved family and friends, including his dart buddies. He was known as a passionate cook and a voracious reader who loved to share meals and lively conversation with his friends and family.
Dr. Smith earned his doctorate in English Literature from the University of Oklahoma. He was an award-winning Distinguished Professor at Kent State University from 1965 through 1995, specializing in Modern British Literature. Dr. Smith loved teaching and being an active part of university life. As a leader in the English Department, he was known for his cross-discipline collegiality working with and developing life-long friendships with fellow professors from the geology, chemistry, theater, and french departments among others. His doctoral research focused on the leaders of the Irish Literary Revival including Sean O'Casey, James Joyce, J.M. Synge, and W.B. Yeats. This passion led to many trips and sabbaticals to study in Ireland and England. He shared his passion with his students who loved the depth of his knowledge and the strength of his commitment to higher education and to them.
He is survived by daughters, Deborah (Thomas) Grealy of Centennial, CO, Lee Ann (Mona Scott) Smith of Parkville, MD, Sara (Jeff Buttermore) Smith of Cleveland Heights, Arwen (JanMarie) Love of Atlanta, GA, and Hale (Rasim) Tuzcu of Istanbul, Turkey; grandchildren, Sean Grealy, Michael Grealy, Erin Grealy, Delana Marie DeWitt, Etta Scott-Smith and Imani Love; and nine great grandchildren, Egan, Ronan, Amelia, Evelyn, Jeffrey III, Connor, Mason, Robby, and Gavin. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Nancy (Strong) Smith; parents, Lee and Etta Smith; sister, Juanita Ranjel; and brother, Billy Ray Smith.
Private services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Coleman Foundation, 5982 Rhodes Road, Kent, OH 44240. Bissler & Sons Funeral Home are handling the arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bobby Lee Smith, please visit our flower store.
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