KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Robert Warren Smith was born June 18, 1925, on his family’s farm in Kelseyville.

He grew up there with his two brothers, Glenn (1922-2015) and Richard (1927-2008), and their parents, Roscoe and Matilda.

Robert lived there until he left for Europe in 1943 to serve in World War II. When the war ended and he finished his initial recovery after being severely wounded, Robert returned to California, where he continued to heal while working at the Oakland Army Base, helping to resettle returning soldiers.

Robert attended the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in 1950 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

It was after his time at UC Berkeley that he met his future wife, Margaret. They were married in 1955. Robert and Margaret settled in San Rafael, and Robert started his aerospace manufacturing business, San Rafael Plastics, with his partner, Peter Bayliss.

Robert and Margaret built their dream house in San Rafael, where they raised their three children. He loved time with his family outdoors, hiking, camping and spending summers at the lake house on Clear Lake in Kelseyville. Robert lived in San Rafael with Margaret until her death in 2002.

He was remarried in 2004 to Nancy Cary. They lived in Kelseyville and enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends, and the numerous visits from his and Nancy’s kids and grandkids.

Robert and Nancy remained in Kelseyville until his medical needs made it necessary to return to his home in San Rafael. He fought hard and was determined to beat his lymphoma, but unfortunately he succumbed to his illness on June 10, 2023, at the age of 97.

Robert is survived by his wife, Nancy; his three children and their spouses, son Bruce and wife Zhenya, daughter Kristin and husband Gary, and son Brian and wife Noreen; six grandchildren; three stepchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; and seven step-great-grandchildren.

Robert was an exceptional father, grandfather, husband, friend and storyteller. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 21, at the Kelseyville Cemetery, 3375 Bell Hill Road. The Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team will provide military honors in honor of Robert’s military service during World War II.