



THE MAN BEHIND THE RUN
Robert Jude Smith, known to everyone as “Smitty” was the much-loved husband of Elaine J. Smith; proud and loving father of Gabe and Rachel Smith and dear son of Edward and Kathleen Smith.
Smitty dedicated a large part of his life to caring for people as a registered nurse. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a flight nurse for more than 23 years and achieved the rank of Captain. In civilian life Bob was employed by St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany as the nurse manager of the Emergency Room. Before he became an officer, he was enlisted as a US Air Force Firefighter.
He was an outdoorsman that loved fishing and hunting. His family meant everything to him and they will always cherish his memory, especially remembering his warm sense of humor and strong reassuring hugs. The way Smitty truly enjoyed life is evident through his smile in every picture. When he was diagnosed with cancer, Smitty really took control of his health. With that change, he stared running again and just few months before he passed away, he managed to complete a 5k!
Smitty passed from this life on Saturday, December 1, 2018, but he did so LIVING LIFE with cancer.
